Head & Neck 5

Question 1

Which nervous system is the autonomic a part of? What and how does it innervate?

Answer 1

Peripheral - smooth muscles and glands, unconcsiously

Question 2

From where do the sympathetic nerves arise?

Answer 2

The thoracolumbar spine

Question 3

From where do the parasympathetic nerves arise?

Hint: 2

Answer 3

The brainstem

S2-S4

Question 4

Name four parts of the head and neck innervated by the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 4

Tarsal muscle of the eyelid
Dilator pupillae of the iris
Decreases salivary gland
Also decreases secretions from the lacrimal gland

Question 5

Name four parts of the head and neck innervated by the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 5

Sphincter pupillae of iris
CIlliary body - controls thickness of lens
Lacrimal gland
Salivary glands

Question 6

What is ptosis?

Answer 6

Drooping of the eyelid

Question 7

What is Horner’s syndrome?

Answer 7

Interruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the head and neck

Question 8

What are the signs of Horner’s syndrome?

Answer 8

Miosis - constricted pupil
Partial ptosis
Anhydrosis -lack of sweat (sweat needs sympathetic innervation)

Question 9

What is the function of the superior tarsal muscle?

Answer 9

Lid retraction

Question 10

Which cranial nerves carry parasympathetic fibres from the brainstem?

Answer 10

III - oculomotor
VII - Facial
IX - glossopharyngeal
X - vagus

Question 11

Which structures are innervated by the parasympathetic nerves carried by CN IIII and which ganglion is formed along the way?
Hint: 2

Answer 11

Sphincter pupillae
Ciliary body
Ciliary ganglion

Question 12

Which structures are innervated by parasympathetic nerves carried by CN VII and which ganglia are formed along the way?
Hint: 4 structures

Answer 12

Lacrimal gland 
Nasal/oral mucosla glands 
Sublingual gland
Submandibular gland
Pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglia

Question 13

Which structure is innervated by parasympathetic nerves carried by CN IX and which ganglion is formed along the way?

Answer 13

Parotid gland

Otic ganglion

Question 14

Briefly desribe the route from brainstem to target tissue of parasympathetic innervation to the head and neck
Hint: 3 steps

Answer 14

Parasympathetic nuceli in brainstem -> “hitch hike” -> on 1/4 CNs -> reach ganglion -> “hitch hike” on branches of CN V -> target tissues

Question 15

Name a parasympathetic nuclei in the brainstem

Answer 15

Edinger Westphal

Question 16

On which cranial nerve do the parasympathetic fibres from the Edinger Westphal nuclei hitch hike onto and?

Answer 16

CN III - oculomotor - ciliary ganglion - ciliary body & pupillae dilator

Question 17

Which parasympathetic nerves “hitch hike” on CN VII?

Hint: 2

Answer 17

Chorda tympani

Pterygopalatine

Question 18

Briefly describe the chorda tympani nerve

Hint: CN, ganglion, innervation

Answer 18

“Hitch hikes” on CN VII - passes through submandibular ganglion - innervates submandibular and sublingual glands

Question 19

Briefly describe the greater petrosal nerve

Hint: CN, ganglion, innervation

Answer 19

“Hitch hikes” on CN VII - pterygopalatine ganglion - lacrimal gland & nasal/oral mucosal glands

Question 20

How many branches of the facial nerve CN VII arise from the petrous part of the temporal bone? Now name them

Answer 20

3 - Greater petrosal
Chorda tympani
Stapedius

Question 21

What ganglion is found in the petrous part of the temporal bone and what type is it?

Answer 21

Geniculate - sensory i.e. NOT parasympathetic

Question 22

What, then, is the clinical significance of the geniculate ganglion?

Answer 22

Pathology ocurring after it will not involve the lacrimal gland

Question 23

Which parasympathetic nerves are associated with CN IX?

Hint: 2

Answer 23

Tympanic

Lesser petrosal

Question 24

What fibres are carried by the tympanic nerve?

Hint: 2

Answer 24

Sensory to middle ear

Autonomic

Question 25

Along branches of which nerve do postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibres “hitch hike?”

Answer 25

Trigeminal CN V - except fibres of CN X

Question 26

What is a nucleus?

Answer 26

Collection of nerve cell bodies within the CNS e.g. brainstem

Question 27

What is a ganglion?

Answer 27

COllection of nerve cell bodies without the CNS - relate to either; autonomic or sensory nerves