Autonomic Nervous System Quiz Questions

Question 1

What body structures are innervated by the visceral motor or autonomic nervous system

Answer 1

Smooth muscle, modified cardiac muscle, glandular cells

Question 2

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system (Fig. I.41, p. 56), and what neurotransmitter is released on the effector organ by the two divisions?

Answer 2

Parasympathetic – acetylcholine

Sympathetic - norepinephrine

Question 3

Where are the cell bodies of presynaptic (preganglionic) sympathetic neurons located

Answer 3

Intermediolateral cell columns (lateral horns)

Question 4

Where are the cell bodies of postsynaptic (postganglionic) sympathetic neurons located

Answer 4

Paravertebral ganglia

Prevertebral ganglia

Question 5

How do sympathetic presynaptic (preganglionic) neurons reach the sympathetic chain

Answer 5

Anterior horn - anterior rami - white rami communicantes - sympathetic trunk

Question 6

After the sympathetic presynaptic (preganglionic) neurons enter the sympathetic chain, where do the neurons terminate and what are the possible courses that they may follow to reach their site of termination

Answer 6

Ascend trunk and synapse in paravertebral ganglia
Descend and synapse in paravertebral ganglia
Synapse in paravertebral ganglia
Pass through paravertebral ganglia to prevertebral ganglia and synapse

Question 7

How do postsynaptic (postganglionic) fibers for the head reach their destination

Answer 7

Superior cervical ganglion - cephalic arterial branch - periarterial plexuses

Question 8

Why are cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves postsynaptic (postganglionic), while the abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves are presynaptic (preganglionic)

Answer 8

Cardiopulmonary splanchic nerves after paravertebral ganglions
Abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves before prevertebral ganglions

Question 9

What is unique about innervation of the adrenal medulla

Answer 9

Presynaptic fibers pass through celiac prevertebral ganglion and synapse directly on cells of medulla to
release neurotransmitter into bloodstream

Question 10

Where are the cell bodies of parasympathetic presynaptic (preganglionic) neurons located

Answer 10

Gray matter of brain stem

Gray matter of S2-S4

Question 11

How do the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems differ?

Answer 11

Sympathetic – catabolic, fight-or-flight, regulate blood vessels
Parasympathetic – anabolic, homeostatic

Question 12

Where are the cell bodies of visceral afferent neurons located

Answer 12

4 parasympathetic ganglia in head

Postsynaptic cell bodies or intrinsic/enteric ganglia