Autonomic nervous system

Question 1

nerve arc structure of ANS

Answer 1

spinal cord to preganglionic neuron to autonomic ganglion to postganglionic neurone to effectors (extra ganglion compared to somatic so that the signal can be spread more widely)

Question 2

length of preganglionic fibres

Answer 2

sympathetic shorter than parasympathetic

Question 3

length of postganglionic fibres

Answer 3

sympathetic longer than parasympathetic

Question 4

where does the sympathetic nervous system connect with the sympathetic chain/ trunk

Answer 4

to ganglion via white ramus communicans (as preganglionic fibres) and back to spinal nerve via grey ramus communicans (as postganglionic fibres)

Question 5

what is the outflow route of parasympathetic

Answer 5

craniosacral (s2-s4 then 3rd 7th 9th 10th cranial nerves)

Question 6

what organs does the sympathetic system cover

Answer 6

eye, heart lung, liver, stomach, spleen, kidney, small and large intestine, bladder, genitalia

Question 7

sympathetic preganglionic fibres that travel to supply organs

Answer 7

splanchnic nerves

Question 8

ganglia that supply head and face

Answer 8

superior cervical ganglion, middle cervical ganglion, inferior cervical ganglion

Question 9

how do we have 8 cervical nerves and 7 cervical vertebrae

Answer 9

C1 nerve comes above C1 vertebrae so C4 nerve would come out between C3 and C4 vertebrae

Question 10

how are nerves named

Answer 10

named after where they emerge from the vertebral column, not from where they emerge from the spinal cord

Question 11

spinal cord ends at what point in adults

Answer 11

L1/L2