ANS Anatomy

Question 1

what fibers run in the vagus nerve

Answer 1

parasympathetic preganglionic efferent fibers

visceral afferent fibers

Question 2

where are the cell bodies of the fibers in the vagus nerve

Answer 2

brainstem: parasympathetic preganglionic

nodose ganglion: visceral afferents

Question 3

what organs does the vagus nerve innervate

Answer 3

thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic organs

Question 4

what neurotransmitter does the vagus nerve use

Answer 4

ganglions: ACh
afferents: glutamate

Question 5

what nerve fibers run in the sympathetic trunk

Answer 5

sympathetic pre and postganglionics

Question 6

where are the cell bodies of the fibers in the sympathetic trunk

Answer 6

thoracolumbar spinal cord: preganglionic

paravertebral, prevertebral, and rostral sympathetic trunk ganglia: postganglionic

Question 7

what organs does the sympathetic trunk innervate

Answer 7

blood vessels and glands of somatic structures

visceral structures

eye
salivary glands
lacrimal glands

Question 8

what neurotransmitters do the fibers in the sympathetic trunk use

Answer 8

preganglionic: ACh

postganglionic: NE/Epi

Question 9

what nerve fibers run in the thoracic (greater) splanchnic nerve

Answer 9

sympathetic pre and post ganglionic

spinal visceral afferents

Question 10

where are the cell bodies of the fibers in the thoracic (greater) splanchnic nerve

Answer 10

thoracolumbar spinal cord: preganglionic

paravertebral ganglia: postganglionic

dorsal root ganglia: spinal afferents

Question 11

what organs does the thoracic (greater) splanchnic nerve innervate

Answer 11

thoracic and abdominal viscera

Question 12

what neurotransmitters do the fibers in the thoracic (greater) splanchnic nerve use

Answer 12

preganglionic: ACh

postganglionic: NE/Epi

Question 13

name 3 prevertebral ganglia

Answer 13

1. celiac ganglion
2. cranial mesenteric ganglion
3. caudal mesenteric ganglion

Question 14

where do the fibers from prevertebral ganglia innervate

Answer 14

abdominal and pelvic viscera

Question 15

what fibers are in the prevertebral ganglia

Answer 15

sympathetic

Question 16

where do the fibers from paravertebral ganglia innervate

Answer 16

all sympathetic outflow

Question 17

where are the paravertebral ganglia

Answer 17

located segmentally along the spinal cord (sympathetic trunk)

Question 18

how does a sympathetic nerve innervate a pelvic organ

Answer 18

thoracolumbar spinal cord –> sympathetic trunk –> paravertebral OR prevertebral (caudal mesenteric) ganglion –> pelvic organ

Question 19

how does a sympathetic nerve innervate an abdominal organ

Answer 19

thoracolumbar spinal cord –> sympathetic trunk –> paravertebral or prevertebral (any) ganglion –> abdominal organ

Question 20

where does sacral parasympathetic outflow occur

Answer 20

from sacral spinal cord (splanchnic nerve)

parasympathetic preganglionic neurons exit and innervate pelvic organs/caudal parts of GI tract

Question 21

where does cranial parasympathetic outflow occur

Answer 21

cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X

vagus extends to thoracic, abdominal, and some pelvic

others innervate cranial structures

Question 22

what is the vagosympathetic trunk

Answer 22

vagus nerve + sympathetic trunk that run in the same connective tissue sheath

NO overlapping innervation; just anatomically close