Quiz 6: Sympathetics Flashcards
Where are sympathetic preganglionic cell bodies located?
Lateral horn of cord levels T1-L2 or L3
Where do the preganglionic sympathetic neurons exit the cord?
Anterior rootlets
After exiting the anterior rootlets, what do the preganglionic sympathetic neurons follow?
Anterior primary ramus
After exiting the anterior primary ramus, where do preganglionic sympathetics travel?
Enter the sympathetic trunk via white ramus communicans
Most preganglionic sympathetics synapse on what?
Postganglionic cells in ganglia of the sympathetic trunk
Some preganglionic sympathetic fibers will pass through the sympathetic trunk to be carried in _________ _______.
Splanchnic nerves
Where do the splanchnic nerves synapse?
Prevertebral plexuses associated with abdominopelvic viscera.
Preganglionic sympathetic fibers release what neurotransmitter?
ACH
What does the sympathetic trunk consist of?
Two paravertebral columns of interconnected ganglia
T/F: The sympathetic trunk carries ascending and descending fibers?
True
The sympathetic trunk extends from what to what?
Superior cervical ganglion inferior to ganglion impar
How many ganglia typically exist in each trunk?
21 or 22
How many cervical ganglia exist in each trunk?
3
How many thoracic ganglia exist in each trunk?
11
How many lumbar ganglia exist in each trunk?
4
How many sacral ganglia exist in each trunk?
4
What exists when the inferior cervical and superior thoracic ganglion combine?
Stellate ganglion, and therefore 21 ganglia in sympathetic trunk instead of 22.
In the cervical area, where is the sympathetic trunk located?
Posterior to carotid sheath
In the upper thoracic area, where is the sympathetic trunk located?
Anterior to the necks of the ribs
T/F: The sympathetic trunks become more laterally located inferiorly.
False, the sympathetic trunks become more medially located inferiorly.
Where is the sympathetic trunk located in the lower thoracic and lumbar regions?
Resting on the lateral aspect of the vertebral bodies
In the sacral area, where is the sympathetic trunk located?
Anterior aspect of the sacrum
Where do the sympathetic trunks join?
At the level of the coccyx
What three structures does the sympathetic trunk lie between in the cervical area?
Carotid sheath, longus colli and longus capitis muscles
How many white rami communicans exist in the cervical sympathetic trunk and ganglia?
0
How many gray rami communicans exist in the cervical sympathetic trunk and ganglia?
All (One for every cervical nerve)
What are the 3 cervical ganglia?
Superior, Middle and Inferior Cervical Ganglia
What is the largest cervical sympathetic ganglion?
Superior
The superior cervical ganglion is formed by the union of how many upper cervical ganglia?
Four
At what vertebral level is the superior cervical ganglion located?
C2-C3 (between carotid sheath and longus capitis m.)
Postganglionic fibers of the superior cervical ganglion may be distributed in what three branches?
Anterior, Medial or Lateral branches.
Lateral branches of the Superior Cervical Ganglion are the _______ rami communicans.
Gray
The lateral branches of the superior cervical ganglion communicate with what?
- Anterior primary rami of C1-C4
- Cranial nerves (IX, X, XII)
Medial branches of the superior cervical ganglion travel where?
Larynx, pharynx and heart
What are the branches to the heart from the medial branches of the superior cervical ganglion called?
Superior Cardiac Nerves
What type of info do the superior cardiac nerves carry?
Efferent only
Anterior branches of the Superior Cervical Ganglion follow what structures and innervate what?
- ) Follow: Common and External Carotid Arteries
2. ) Innervate: Vessels that supply blood to structures inside and outside the skull
What cervical ganglion is the smallest?
Middle Cervical Ganglion
At which vertebral level is the middle cervical ganglion located?
C6
The Middle Cervical Ganglion communicates with the anterior primary rami of ___ and ____ nerves via ______ rami communicans.
C5 and C6 nerves; Gray rami communicans
Thyroid branches of the middle cervical ganglion reach what?
Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
T/F: The thyroid branches of the middle cervical ganglion are primarily vasomotor.
True
Cardiac branches off of the middle cervical ganglion make up the ______ _______ nerves.
Middle Cardiac Nerves
The middle cardiac nerves contribute to what?
Deep part of the cardiac plexus
The inferior cervical ganglion lies at the level of what?
C7 transverse process and neck of the first rib
What does the inferior cervical ganglion communicate with?
Anterior primary rami of C7 and C8 (also T1 if fused to form stellate ganglion) nerves via gray rami communicans
Cardiac branches of the inferior cervical ganglion travel to the heart as what?
Inferior cardiac nerves
Branches from the inferior cervical ganglion are sent to the _________ artery and form plexuses around it and its branches.
Subclavian Artery
What are the main branches of the subclavian artery that the inferior cervical ganglion branches form plexuses around?
Axillary Artery and Vertebral Artery
Usually there are ___ thoracic ganglia, sometimes ___.
11, 12
T/F: All 12 thoracic nerves have a gray rami communicans and a white rami communicans.
True
In the superior thorax, thoracic ganglia are located anterior to what?
Rib heads
In the lower part of the thorax, thoracic ganglia are located on the lateral aspect of what?
Vertebral bodies
Branches from the upper five thoracic ganglia travel _______ and supply structures in the thoracic cavity.
Medially