4.2 Autonomic Innervation of the Head and Neck

Question 1

Where do the sympathetic trunks lie in the head and neck?

Answer 1

Pre-vertebral fascia deep to the cervical sheath

Question 2

Name the 3 ganglia which are part of the sympathetic thoracic trunk

Answer 2

Superior
Middle
Inferior

Question 3

What are the postganglionic sympathetic fibres of the head and neck called?

Answer 3

Internal and external carotid nerves

Question 4

Which arteries do the postganglionic nerves from the superior cervical ganglion travel with?

Answer 4

External and internal carotid artery

Question 5

Which arteries do the postganglionic nerves from the middle cervical ganglion travel with?

Answer 5

Inferior thyroid artery

Question 6

Which arteries do the postganglionic nerves from the inferior cervical ganglion travel with?

Answer 6

Vertebral artery

Question 7

Which cranial nerves have parasympathetic fibres?

Answer 7

Oculomotor, Facial, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus

Question 8

Name the 4 pairs of parasympathetic ganglions in the head and neck

Answer 8

Ciliary
Pterygopalatine
Submandibular
Otic

Question 9

Which cranial nerve has fibres from the ciliary ganglion?

Answer 9

Oculomotor nerve

Question 10

Where is the ciliary ganglion located?

Answer 10

Orbital cavity lateral to the optic nerve

Question 11

What do the parasympathetic fibres from the ciliary ganglion innervate?

Answer 11

Control of eye muscles

Ciliary muscles –> Pupil constriction

Question 12

Which cranial nerve has fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion?

Answer 12

Facial nerve via the greater petrosal nerve

Question 13

What do the parasympathetic fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion innervate?

Answer 13

Lacrimal gland
Glands of the nose
Palate
Nasopharynx

Question 14

Where is the pterygopalatine ganglion located?

Answer 14

Pterygopalatine fossa

Question 15

Which sympathetic ganglion do the postganglionic sympathetic fibres come from which pass through the pterygopalatine ganglion?

Answer 15

Superior cervical ganglion

Question 16

Which cranial nerve has fibres from the submandibular ganglion?

Answer 16

The facial nerve via the chorda tympani and lingual nerve

Question 17

What do the parasympathetic fibres from the submandibular ganglion innervate?

Answer 17

Sublingual and submandibular salivary glands

Question 18

Which sympathetic ganglion do the postganglionic sympathetic fibres come from which pass through the submandibular ganglion?

Answer 18

Superior cervical ganglion

Question 19

Which cranial nerve has fibres from the otic ganglion?

Answer 19

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Question 20

What do the parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion innervate?

Answer 20

Parotid gland

Question 21

Which sympathetic ganglion do the postganglionic sympathetic fibres come from which pass through the otic ganglion?

Answer 21

Superior cervical ganglion

Question 22

Which structures does the glossopharyngeal nerve supply directly with parasympathetic innervation (ie. without passing through the otic ganglion)?

Answer 22

Oropharynx glands

Posterior 1/3rd tongue

Question 23

Which structures does the vagus nerve supply directly with parasympathetic innervation?

Answer 23

Larynx
Oesophagus
Trachea
Glands of the layngopharynx