Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

Which cranial nerves carry parasympathetic nerves?

Answer 1

CNIII Oculomotor – to pupils;
CN VII Facial – to lacrimal glands, submandibular and sublingual glands and small glands in nose and mouth;
CNIX glossopharyngeal to parotid salivary gland;
CNX Vagus to all thoracic and abdominal organs.

Question 2

Which has the longer preganglionic nerves? Parasympathetic or sympathetic?

Answer 2

Parasympathetic nerves have long preganglionic axons (travelling with parent nerve until close to target organ.

Question 3

Which leaves the CNS with thoracic and lumbar nerves? Para or sympathetic?

Answer 3

Sympathetic nerves leave thoracic and lumbar spinal cord via ventral roots.

Question 4

What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on salivary glands?

Answer 4

They inhibit secretion.

Question 5

What signs might indicate that your client is nervous?

Answer 5

Mouth feels dry.