Autonomics of the Head and Neck

Question 1

describe the sympathetics to head and neck

Answer 1

• preganglionic fibers with cell bodies in the lateral horn of T1 and T2 spinal segments enter the chain via WRC and ascend the symp. chain to the cervical ganglia where synapses occur
• postganglionic fibers with cell bodies in the cervical chain ganglia leave the symp. chain to surround the carotid arteries, forming carotid periarterial plexuses

Question 2

describe the long ciliary nerve

Answer 2

• long ciliary nerve is a post ganglionic sympathetic that innervates the superior tarsal muscle
  
  • this is a smooth muscle that helps keep the eye open along with the levator palpebrae superioris (CN III)

Question 3

name the parasympathetic nuclei in the brainstem

Answer 3

• midbrain:
  
  • Edinger-Westphal nucleus = CN III
• pons:
  
  • superior salivatory nucleus = CN VII
• medulla:
  
  • inferior salivatory nucleus = CN IX
  • dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus = CN X

Question 4

ALL PS ganglia in the head and ALL postganglionic PS fibers in the head travel on branches of ______

the exception is the _____

Answer 4

all PS ganglia in the head and ALL postganglionic PS fibers in the head travel on branches of the trigeminal nerve

the exception is the lingual nerve

Question 5

name the PS ganglia associated with the branches of CN V

Answer 5

• V-1
  
  • ciliary ganglion (CN III)
• V2
  
  • pterygopalatine ganglion (CN VII)
• V3
  
  • otic ganglion (CN IX)
  • submandibular ganglion (CN VII)

Question 6

describe the pathway of parasympathetics with CN III

Answer 6

Question 7

describe the pathway of the greater petrosal nerve (CN VII)

Answer 7

Question 8

describe the communicating nerve

Answer 8

Postganglionic fibers enter zygomatic branch of CN V2 and then communicates to the lacrimal branch of CN V-1 to innervate the lacrimal gland

Question 9

describe the pathway of the chorda tympani nerve

Answer 9

Question 10

describe the pathway of the lesser petrosal nerve

Answer 10

Question 11

give a summary of the PS in the head and neck

Answer 11