The Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Divisions

Question 1

Stimulation and inhibition by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions that counterbalance each other to keep body systems running smoothly.

Answer 1

Dual Innervation

Question 2

Parasympathetic Division: Origin

Answer 2

Craniosacral part: Brain Stem Nuclei of Cranial Nerves III, VII, IX, and X. Spinal Cord Segments S2-S4

Question 3

Sympathetic Division: Origin

Answer 3

Thoracolumbar part: lateral horns of gray matter of spinal cord segments T1-L2.

Question 4

Parasympathetic Division: Location of Ganglia

Answer 4

Ganglia are within the visceral organ or close to the organ served.

Question 5

Sympathetic Division: Location of Ganglia

Answer 5

Ganglia are within a few centimeters of CNS: alongside vertebral column or anterior to vertebral column.

Question 6

Parasympathetic Division: Relative Lengths of Fibers.

Answer 6

Long preganglionic; short postganglionic.

Question 7

Sympathetic Division: Relative Lengths of Fibers.

Answer 7

Short preganglionic; long postganglionic.

Question 8

Parasympathetic Division: Functional Role

Answer 8

Maintenance functions; conserves and stores energy; “rest and digest”

Question 9

Sympathetic Division: Functional Role

Answer 9

Prepares body for activity; “fight or flight”

Question 10

Parasympathetic Division: Neurotransmitters

Answer 10

All preganglionic and postganglionic fibers release Ach

Question 11

Sympathetic Division: Neurotransmitters

Answer 11

All preganglionic fibers release Ach. Most postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine. Postganglionic fibers serving sweat glands release Ach. Neurotransmitter activity is augmented by release of adrenal medullary hormones.

Question 12

Division where the preganglionic fibers spring from the brain stem and sacral region of the spinal cord. AKA the parasympathetic division.

Answer 12

Craniosacral Division

Question 13

Location of synapse between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in the parasympathetic division. Located close to target organs.

Answer 13

Terminal Ganglia

Question 14

Innervate smooth muscles in the eyes that cause the pupils to constrict and the lenses to bulge.

Answer 14

Oculomotor Nerves

Question 15

Stimulates many glands in the head: nasal glands, lacrimal glands, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.

Answer 15

Facial Nerves

Question 16

Stimulates the parotid salivary glands.

Answer 16

Glossopharyngeal Nerves

Question 17

Provide fibers to the neck and to nerve plexuses that serve virtually every organ in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Contains the cardiac plexus, the pulmonary plexus, and esophageal plexus.

Answer 17

Vagus Nerves

Question 18

Contains parasympathetic nerve fibers that innervate the distal half of the large intestine, urinary bladder, ureters, and reproductive organs.

Answer 18

Spinal Nerves S2-S4

Question 19

Division where preganglionic fibers arise from spinal cord segments T1-L2. AKA the sympathetic division.

Answer 19

Thoracolumbar Division

Question 20

Formed by the cell bodies of preganglionic sympathetic neurons.

Answer 20

Lateral Horns

Question 21

Send information about chemical changes, stretch, temperature, and irritation of the viscera.

Answer 21

Visceral Sensory Neurons

Question 22

Similar to somatic reflex arcs, but contain two consecutive neurons in the motor component.

Answer 22

Visceral Reflex Arcs

Question 23

Pain stimuli arising from the viscera, but perceived as somatic in origin. Due to visceral pain sensory fibers converge on the same second-order sensory neurons that receive information from somatic sensory neurons.

Answer 23

Referred Pain