Thorax: ANS

Question 1

thoracolumbar division

Answer 1

sympathetic division of ANS

preganglionic cell bodies: T1-L2/L3
named after physical location of system

Question 2

white ramus communicans (WRC)

Answer 2

path: nerves exit a spinal nerve to enter the sympathetic chain. distal to GRC

Question 3

gray ramus communicans (GRC)

Answer 3

path: nerves exit the sympathetic chain and enter a spinal nerve. Proximal to WRC

Question 4

wh r the 2 routes sympathetic ganglia follow?

Answer 4

sympathetic chain (paravertebral ganglia)
pelvic plexus (prevertebral ganglia)

Question 5

sympathetic trunk: course

Answer 5

base of skull to coccyx

Question 6

rami communicantes

Answer 6

collective term for gray (out of sympathetic trunk) & white rami communicans (into sympathetic trunk)

Question 7

how many sympathetic ganglia are there in the cervical region?

Answer 7

3: superior, middle, and inferior.

This is remarkable because there are generally more (one associated with each vertebral level)

Question 8

prevertebral gangila (sympathetic)

Answer 8

located on the anterior surface of the aorta in a region called the prevertebral (pelvic) plexus

Question 9

4 Destination for Sympathetics

Answer 9

1. limb/ body wall: 
gray rami (reenter spinal nerve)

2. Head:
   internal/ external carotid branches
3. thoracic cavity: cardiac nerves
   a. cardiac plexus (heart)
   b. pulmonary plexus (lungs)
   c. esophagus and trachea
4. abdominal/ pelvic cavities:
   splanchnic nerves

Question 10

splachnic nerves

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 10

def: connect viscera with nerve from the sympathetic chain
location: (course) originate from WRC
target: SYNAPSE in the prevertebral ganglia of the abdomen/ pelvis

Question 11

cardiac nerves

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 11

1. connect the sympathetic trunk with thoracic viscera
2. C1-T5
3. visceral plexuses of the thorax (pulmonary, esophogeal, cardiac)

Question 12

pelvic splanchnic nerves

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 12

1. special splachnic nerves that carry parasympathetic (preganglionic) nerves
2. location: S2-4
3. viscera of lower abdomen

Question 13

craniosacral division

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 13

1. parasympathetic neuron, preganglionic cell bodies
2. S2-S4
3. cranial nerves (CN III, VII, IX, X)

Question 14

parasympathetic nervous system:

2 major routes

Answer 14

1. cranial nerves (CN III, CN VII, CNVII, CN XI, X)

2. pelvic splachnic nerves

Question 15

wy r parasympathetic postganglionic neurons short?

Answer 15

parasympathetic ganglia are located close to their targets; the neurons don’t have far to travel

Question 16

T/F parasympathetic ganglia innervate

the limbs and body wall

Answer 16

none

Question 17

visceral afferent fibers

Answer 17

may travel with visceral efferent fibers and provide information on visceral structures

Question 18

visceral sensations (examples)

Answer 18

pain, distension, cramps

often dull and poorly localized

Question 19

paravertebral ganglia (def)

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 19

aka: sympathetic chain
location: posterior thoracic wall
function: to innervate viscera in the abdomen

Question 20

prevertebral ganglia (def)

1. def
2. location/ level
3. target

Answer 20

aka pelvic plexus

location: abdominal aorta
function: to innervate viscera in the pelvic region

Question 21

pelivc splanchnic ganglia v.

prevertebral ganglia

Answer 21

Ganglia: pelvic splanchnic
System: parasympathetic ganglia
Level: arise from S2-S4

Ganglia: prevertebral ganglia
System: sympathetic nervous system
Level: splanchnic nerve from sympathetic chain

Question 22

splanchnic nerve v. pelvic splanchnic nerve

Answer 22

pelvic splancnhnic are a special subset of splanchnic

carry parasympathetic fibers instead of symp.