Autonomic and Somatic Nervous Systems Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the nerve pathway that contains preganglionic fibers traveling to sympathetic trunk ganglia?

Collateral ganglion

Dorsal root ganglion

Gray ramus communicans

White ramus communicans (correct)

What is the name of the ganglia located anterior to the vertebral column in the abdomen and pelvis, often found on the aorta?

Dorsal root ganglia

Sympathetic chain ganglia

Peripheral ganglia

Collateral ganglia (correct)

Which of the following correctly describes the location of preganglionic neuron cell bodies?

Sympathetic chain ganglia

Collateral ganglia

Lateral gray horn of the thoracolumbar spinal cord (correct)

Dorsal root ganglia

What is the function of the gray ramus communicans?

Carry postganglionic fibers to peripheral structures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these ganglia are NOT located in the abdomen and pelvis?

Sympathetic chain ganglia (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron cell bodies are found in the sympathetic chain ganglia?

Motor neurons (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the collateral ganglia?

Segmentally arranged (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the pathway of a sympathetic preganglionic fiber leaving the thoracolumbar spinal cord?

Lateral gray horn -> ventral root -> spinal nerve -> white ramus communicans -> sympathetic trunk ganglion (or collateral ganglion) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the pelvic splanchnic nerves?

Visceral motor region of gray matter at S2-S4 (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerves are involved in the parasympathetic innervation of the head?

CN III, VII, and IX (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do parasympathetic fibers from the sacral region reach their target organs?

By traveling through the inferior hypogastric plexus (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the autonomic plexuses?

They contain both parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the sympathetic division is true?

It supplies visceral organs without parasympathetic innervation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of the sympathetic division?

Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles (A), Inhibits motility of the gastrointestinal tract (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the parasympathetic division on heart rate?

It maintains a low-normal heart rate (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where are the cell bodies of the first neurons in the parasympathetic division located?

Cranial and sacral regions of the CNS (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of the ganglia in the parasympathetic division?

Located in or near the target organs (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerves are associated with cranial outflow in the parasympathetic division?

III, VII, IX, X (B) Signup and view all the answers

The sacral outflow of the parasympathetic division mainly innervates which areas?

Lower abdominal and pelvic organs (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary role of the sympathetic division during emergency situations?

Dilates pupils and airways (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the parasympathetic division?

Inhibiting bladder contraction (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates visceral body functions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the somatic motor system from the autonomic motor system?

It involves a single motor neuron (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the response associated with the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Stimulated blood pressure and heart rate (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where does the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system originate?

Brain and sacral spinal cord (A) Signup and view all the answers

How many motor neurons are involved in the autonomic nervous system pathway?

Two (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of muscle does the autonomic nervous system NOT affect?

Skeletal muscle (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the effects of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?

They have coordinated opposite effects on the same structures (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the postsynaptic neuron in the autonomic nervous system?

To connect the presynaptic neuron to target organs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the sympathetic pathway in innervating skin structures?

It stimulates arrector pili muscles and sweat glands. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves from pelvic splanchnic nerves?

Thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves are sympathetic. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where does the axon synapse when passing through the sympathetic trunk?

At a higher or lower level ganglion. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common physiological response associated with sympathetic activation?

Increased perspiration. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of collateral ganglia for sympathetic pathways?

Anterior to the vertebral column. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What structures are directly innervated by sympathetic fibers?

Smooth muscle in the inner tube of the body. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when the body experiences stress and activates the sympathetic nervous system?

Profuse sweating occurs. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT typically associated with the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Enhancement of digestion. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the sympathetic trunk ganglia?

Contain motor neuron cell bodies (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve has a direct connection to the celiac ganglion?

Greater splanchnic nerve (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions receives sympathetic innervation from the lumbar splanchnic nerves?

Kidney (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where do preganglionic sympathetic fibers typically synapse?

Collateral ganglia (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily associated with the adrenal medulla?

Greater splanchnic nerve (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs does the sympathetic trunk NOT innervate directly?

Pancreas (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role do the white rami communicantes play in the sympathetic nervous system?

Transmit preganglionic fibers from the spinal cord to ganglia (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which ganglion is closest to the ribs and innervates thoracic organs?

Sympathetic trunk ganglia (C) Signup and view all the answers

What structure acts as a hub for sympathetic innervation to the abdominal organs?

Celiac ganglion (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of nerves predominantly innervate the genitalia and urinary bladder?

Sacral splanchnic nerves (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Autonomic - Visceral Motor System

The autonomic nervous system is the visceral motor component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
It regulates visceral functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and urination.
It innervates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
It uses a two-neuron pathway, a presynaptic (preganglionic) neuron and a postsynaptic (postganglionic) neuron, for control.
The presynaptic neuron originates in the central nervous system (CNS) or spinal cord.
The postsynaptic neuron synapses with the target effector at or near the target organ.

Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems

The somatic motor system has only one neuron extending between the CNS and skeletal muscle.
Autonomic nervous systems have two; a presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron, to reach the target (smooth muscle or glad).

Somatic Motor

Somatic motor neurons contain one axon and synapse.

Visceral Motor

Visceral motor nerves contain two axons and two synapses.
Various cranial nerves, including CN III, VII, IX, and X, mediate visceral muscle movement

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions

Sympathetic: "fight or flight" response, originates in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Its effects are widespread and involve increasing heart rate, increasing blood flow to skeletal muscles and dilating pupils.
Parasympathetic: "rest and digest" response, originates in the brain stem and sacral regions of the spinal cord. Its effects are more localized and involve slowing heart rate, directing resources to digestion, and constricting pupils.

Sympathetic Division

Arousal and fear response
Increases heart rate and breathing rate
Dilates pupils and airways
Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles
Inhibits digestive and urinary tracts functions

Parasympathetic Division

Conservation of energy state
Lowers heart rate and breathing rate
Constricts pupils and airways
Directs "housekeeping" activities
Enhances digestive and urinary tracts functions

Important Considerations

Sympathetic fibers are present in limbs
Sympathetic fibers in smooth muscle of arteries, veins and glands
Sympathetic response in cases of fear, excitement and stress

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Description

Test your knowledge on the autonomic and somatic motor systems within the peripheral nervous system. This quiz covers key functions, neuron pathways, and the differences between visceral and somatic motor control. Perfect for biology students looking to deepen their understanding of these essential components of human physiology.