Which term pertains to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine?

Study for the AAOS Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

The correct term that pertains to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine is adrenergic. Adrenergic refers to the receptors that are activated by catecholamines such as norepinephrine and epinephrine. These receptors play a significant role in the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response. When norepinephrine is released by adrenergic nerves, it leads to various physiological responses such as increased heart rate, dilation of bronchioles, and redirecting blood flow to essential muscles, among other effects.

The term sympathetic is often associated with this system as well, but it specifically refers to one of the divisions of the autonomic nervous system rather than the neurotransmitter itself. Neurogenic refers to the origin related to nerves or the nervous system, while parasympathetic is another division of the autonomic nervous system that typically promotes the "rest and digest" responses, often utilizing acetylcholine as its primary neurotransmitter. Thus, while sympathetic and parasympathetic describe systems related to nerve functions, adrenergic specifically identifies the action of norepinephrine within that context.

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