Autonomics

Question 1

What are the 2 broad targets for autonomic?

Answer 1

Smooth muscle

Glands

Question 2

Where specifically do autonomic originate in a spinal segment?

Answer 2

Lateral horn

T1-L2) or (S2-S4

Question 3

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system supplies sweat glands in the head and neck?

Answer 3

Sympathetic

Question 4

Which ganglia do the following synapse at

Greater petrosal

Chorda tympani

Answer 4

Pterygopalatine

Submandibular

Question 5

Describe the route of lesser petrosal nerve on its way to innervate the parotid gland.

Answer 5

Parasympathetics run with the tympanic nerve initally but then exit middle ear as the lesser petrosal nerve.

These then travel through the foramen ovale and synapse in the otic ganglion. Post ganglionics here will then hitchhike onto (auriculo temporal branch) of V3 and supply the parotid gland.

Question 6

What is the difference between a nucleus and ganglion?

Answer 6

Nucleus - collection of cell bodies within the CNS

Ganglion - collection of cell bodies outside the PNS