Sympathetics Part 1 Flashcards
Where are the cell bodies of preganglionic sympathetic neurons located?
lateral horn T1-L2 or L3
How do preganglionic sympathetics exit the spinal cord?
in the anterior rootlets
T/F: preganglionic sympathetics follow the posterior primary ramus.
false; anterior primary ramus
How do preganglionic sympathetics get from the anterior primary ramus to the sympathetic trunk?
white ramus communicans
T/F: white rami communicans are myelinated.
true
T/F: most preganglionic sympathetics will synapse before reaching the sympathetic trunk.
False; most will synapse on postganglionic cells in the sympathetic trunk
Where are preganglionic sympathetics that do not synapse in the sympathetic trunk carried and in what?
carried in splanchnic nerves to synapse in prevertebral plexuses
Some preganglionic sympathetics synapse in prevertebral plexuses associated with what viscera?
abdominopelvic viscera
T/F: Most Preganglionic sympathetics release Acetylcholine.
True
What is the term for the two paravertebral columns of interconnected ganglia?
sympathetic trunk
T/F: the sympathetic trunk only carries descending fibers.
False; carries both ascending and descending fibers
What ganglion of the sympathetic trunk is the most superior? most inferior?
superior cervical ganglion;
ganglion impar
How many ganglia are usually in the sympathetic trunk?
21 or 22 in EACH trunk
How many ganglia are in the cervical part of the sympathetic trunk? thoracic? lumbar? sacral?
3 cervical;
11 thoracic;
4 lumbar;
4 sacral
Which ganglia are most often fused? What is the name of resulting ganglion?
1st thoracic and inferior cervical;
stellate ganglion
What structure is the sympathetic trunk located posterior to in the cervical area? anterior to in the upper thoracic area?
carotid sheath;
necks of the ribs
T/F: sympathetic trunks become more laterally located inferiorly.
False; become more medially located
T/F:sympathetic trunks rest on the lateral aspect of the vertebarl bodies in the lower thoracic and lumbar areas.
True
T/F: sympathetic trunks lie on anterior aspect of the sacrum, eventually joining at the level of S4.
False; join at level of the coccyx
What structures do the sympathetic trunks lie anterior to in the cervical area?
longus colli and capitis
Which cervical nerves have white rami communicans?
none; only T1-L2 or L3
Which cervical nerves have gray rami communicans?
each cervical nerve
Which ganglia are usually associated with the cervical sympathetic trunk?
superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglia
Which cervical ganglion is the largest?
superior cervical ganglion
What is the superior cervical ganglion formed by?
the upper 4 cervical ganglia
Where is the superior cervical ganglion located?
level of C2-C3, between carotid sheath and longus capitis muscle
How are fibers from the superior cervical ganglion distributed?
in anterior, medial, or lateral branches
T/F: there is more than the gray rami communicans leaving the superior cervical ganglion.
True
Which branches coming from the superior cervical ganglion are considered the gray rami communicans?
lateral branches
What do the lateral branches from the superior cervical ganglion communicate with?
anterior primary rami of C1-C4 as well as some cranial nerves (IX, X, XII, notably)
Where do the medial branches from the superior cervical ganglion travel?
to the larynx, pharynx, and heart
What are branches from the medial branches of the superior cervical ganglion to the heart called? Do these carry afferent or efferent info?
superior cardiac nerves;
efferent info only
What vessels do the anterior branches from the superior cervical ganglion travel with? what do these innervate?
follow common and external carotid arteries;
innervate vessels that supply blood to structures inside and outside the skull
