Sympathetics Part 1

Question 1

Where are the cell bodies of preganglionic sympathetic neurons located?

Answer 1

lateral horn T1-L2 or L3

Question 2

How do preganglionic sympathetics exit the spinal cord?

Answer 2

in the anterior rootlets

Question 3

T/F: preganglionic sympathetics follow the posterior primary ramus.

Answer 3

false; anterior primary ramus

Question 4

How do preganglionic sympathetics get from the anterior primary ramus to the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 4

white ramus communicans

Question 5

T/F: white rami communicans are myelinated.

Answer 5

true

Question 6

T/F: most preganglionic sympathetics will synapse before reaching the sympathetic trunk.

Answer 6

False; most will synapse on postganglionic cells in the sympathetic trunk

Question 7

Where are preganglionic sympathetics that do not synapse in the sympathetic trunk carried and in what?

Answer 7

carried in splanchnic nerves to synapse in prevertebral plexuses

Question 8

Some preganglionic sympathetics synapse in prevertebral plexuses associated with what viscera?

Answer 8

abdominopelvic viscera

Question 9

T/F: Most Preganglionic sympathetics release Acetylcholine.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What is the term for the two paravertebral columns of interconnected ganglia?

Answer 10

sympathetic trunk

Question 11

T/F: the sympathetic trunk only carries descending fibers.

Answer 11

False; carries both ascending and descending fibers

Question 12

What ganglion of the sympathetic trunk is the most superior? most inferior?

Answer 12

superior cervical ganglion;

ganglion impar

Question 13

How many ganglia are usually in the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 13

21 or 22 in EACH trunk

Question 14

How many ganglia are in the cervical part of the sympathetic trunk? thoracic? lumbar? sacral?

Answer 14

3 cervical;
11 thoracic;
4 lumbar;
4 sacral

Question 15

Which ganglia are most often fused? What is the name of resulting ganglion?

Answer 15

1st thoracic and inferior cervical;

stellate ganglion

Question 16

What structure is the sympathetic trunk located posterior to in the cervical area? anterior to in the upper thoracic area?

Answer 16

carotid sheath;

necks of the ribs

Question 17

T/F: sympathetic trunks become more laterally located inferiorly.

Answer 17

False; become more medially located

Question 18

T/F:sympathetic trunks rest on the lateral aspect of the vertebarl bodies in the lower thoracic and lumbar areas.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

T/F: sympathetic trunks lie on anterior aspect of the sacrum, eventually joining at the level of S4.

Answer 19

False; join at level of the coccyx

Question 20

What structures do the sympathetic trunks lie anterior to in the cervical area?

Answer 20

longus colli and capitis

Question 21

Which cervical nerves have white rami communicans?

Answer 21

none; only T1-L2 or L3

Question 22

Which cervical nerves have gray rami communicans?

Answer 22

each cervical nerve

Question 23

Which ganglia are usually associated with the cervical sympathetic trunk?

Answer 23

superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglia

Question 24

Which cervical ganglion is the largest?

Answer 24

superior cervical ganglion

Question 25

What is the superior cervical ganglion formed by?

Answer 25

the upper 4 cervical ganglia

Question 26

Where is the superior cervical ganglion located?

Answer 26

level of C2-C3, between carotid sheath and longus capitis muscle

Question 27

How are fibers from the superior cervical ganglion distributed?

Answer 27

in anterior, medial, or lateral branches

Question 28

T/F: there is more than the gray rami communicans leaving the superior cervical ganglion.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Which branches coming from the superior cervical ganglion are considered the gray rami communicans?

Answer 29

lateral branches

Question 30

What do the lateral branches from the superior cervical ganglion communicate with?

Answer 30

anterior primary rami of C1-C4 as well as some cranial nerves (IX, X, XII, notably)

Question 31

Where do the medial branches from the superior cervical ganglion travel?

Answer 31

to the larynx, pharynx, and heart

Question 32

What are branches from the medial branches of the superior cervical ganglion to the heart called? Do these carry afferent or efferent info?

Answer 32

superior cardiac nerves;

efferent info only

Question 33

What vessels do the anterior branches from the superior cervical ganglion travel with? what do these innervate?

Answer 33

follow common and external carotid arteries;

innervate vessels that supply blood to structures inside and outside the skull