Sympathetics Part 3

Question 1

From which cord levels do preganglionic axons travel to enter the sympathetic trunk by way of the white rami communicans?

Answer 1

T1-L2

Question 2

T/F: Preganglionic axons from the cord to the sympathetic trunk may ascend or descend to different levels of the trunk.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

T/F: Generally, fibers from T1-T5 levels will descend to enter the sympathetic trunk.

Answer 3

False; generally ascend

Question 4

T/F: Generally, fibers from T5-T12 will ascend to enter the sympathetic trunk.

Answer 4

False; generally these will descend

Question 5

Axons that will be relayed to the head and neck are carried by which Thoracic nerves?

Answer 5

T1 and T2

Question 6

Axons that carry info to the head and neck by T1 and T2 nerves ascend and synapse in which cervical ganglion?

Answer 6

superior cervical ganglion

Question 7

Axons to the sympathetic trunk which influence the heart arise from what cord levels?

Answer 7

T1-T4

Question 8

T/F: most axons that influence the heart (from T1-T4) will ascend to one of the 3 cervical ganglia, but some will pass directly to the heart.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Which thoracic cord levels do axons which influence the lungs arise from?

Answer 9

T2-T4

Question 10

T/F: preganglionic fibers which influence the lungs synapse in the second, third, and fourth thoracic ganglia.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Preganglionic fibers carrying info which influences the upper extremities are carried in which thoracic nerves? Which ganglia will these fibers ascend to and synapse in?

Answer 11

T3-T7;

middle cervical and inferior cervical/stellate ganglia

Question 12

Fibers that influence the abdominal viscera arise from which thoracic cord levels? If these fibers synapse in the sympathetic trunk, where will that be?

Answer 12

T5-T12;

may synpase in lower thoracic ganglia

Question 13

If the sympathetic fibers which influence the abdominal viscera do not synapse in the trunk, what happens to them?

Answer 13

they will be carried through the trunk primarily by the greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerves

Question 14

Fibers that influence the pelvic viscera arise from which cord levels? What else do these cord levels influence?

Answer 14

T10-L2;

lower extremities

Question 15

T/F: fibers that influence the pelvic viscera descend to the ganglia in the lower thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic areas.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

Preganglionic fibers carrying info for the lower extremities are carried in what nerves? Which ganglia do these synapse in?

Answer 16

T10-L2;

synapse in second lumbar through fourth sacral ganglia

Question 17

What are the 3 ways fibers get carried from the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 17

nerves, blood vessels, and direct branches

Question 18

Virtually all nerves carry postganglionic sympathetic fibers. What are the 3 types of “motor” function is provided by these fibers?

Answer 18

vasomotor (vasoconstriction), sudomotor (sweat), and pilomotor (motor to the arrector pili)

Question 19

T/F: It is unlikely that fibers from the sympathetic trunk will have direct branches to the viscera without synapsing.

Answer 19

False; direct branches to the viscera are likely

Question 20

A gray ramus communicans from the cervical sympathetic trunk is associated with which cervical spinal nerves?

Answer 20

All of them

Question 21

What cranial nerves receive branches from the superior cervical ganglion?

Answer 21

Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), and Hypoglossal (XII)

Question 22

The internal carotid nerve is a branch from which ganglion?

Answer 22

superior cervical ganglion

Question 23

What vessel does the internal carotid nerve enter the cranial cavity with?

Answer 23

internal carotid artery

Question 24

The internal carotid nerve divides into lateral and medial branches. What plexus is formed from the lateral internal carotid nerve? What plexus from the medial internal carotid nerve?

Answer 24

internal carotid plexus;

cavernous plexus

Question 25

Many of the branches from the internal carotid plexus will terminate where?

Answer 25

on vessels inside the skull

Question 26

Communications with the abducens nerve from the internal carotid plexus supply the blood vessels in what muscle?

Answer 26

lateral rectus (same muscle supplied by the abducens nerve)

Question 27

Postganglionic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve, which combines with the greater petrosal nerve to form what nerve? What glands are supplied by this nerve?

Answer 27

nerve of the pterygoid canal;

lacrimal, nasal, palatine, and some pharyngeal glands

Question 28

What nerves combine with the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve to form the tympanic plexus and supply the glands/blood vessels of the middle ear?

Answer 28

caroticotympanic nerves

Question 29

Where is the cavernous plexus located?

Answer 29

within the cavernous sinus alongside the sella turcica

Question 30

T/F: fibers from the lateral internal carotid nerve travel through the ciliary ganglion to reach the eyeball and supply the ciliaris and dilator pupillae.

Answer 30

False; this is true of the medial internal carotid nerve. Also supplies some tarsus muscles of the upper eyelid

Question 31

The medial internal carotid nerve forms a plexus which supplies blood vessels which supply muscles and glands. What muscles contain blood vessels supplied by the medial internal carotid nerve?

Answer 31

ciliaris, dilator pupillae, some tarsus muscles of the upper eyelid, muscles supplied by the oculomotor nerve, superior oblique, pituitary gland and arrector pili, sweat glands, and blood vessels in the field of distribution of the ophthalmic division

Question 32

Branches accompanying the inferior thyroid artery supply the thyroid gland. What ganglion do these branches come from?

Answer 32

middle cervical ganglion

Question 33

Branches reach the subclavian artery to reach the upper extremity via the axillary and brachial arteries. What ganglion do these branches come from?

Answer 33

inferior cervical/stellate ganglion