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Questions and Answers
What is the first structure that sympathetic nerve fibers for skin innervation pass through after leaving the spinal cord?
What is the first structure that sympathetic nerve fibers for skin innervation pass through after leaving the spinal cord?
Which ganglia do sympathetic fibers destined for the organs of the head and neck synapse in?
Which ganglia do sympathetic fibers destined for the organs of the head and neck synapse in?
What type of sympathetic fibers are responsible for innervating the cardiopulmonary organs?
What type of sympathetic fibers are responsible for innervating the cardiopulmonary organs?
Which of the following is NOT a pathway for abdominopelvic organ innervation?
Which of the following is NOT a pathway for abdominopelvic organ innervation?
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From which spinal cord levels do the sympathetic fibers that innervate thoracic organs originate?
From which spinal cord levels do the sympathetic fibers that innervate thoracic organs originate?
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How do sympathetic fibers to the skin enter the sympathetic trunk?
How do sympathetic fibers to the skin enter the sympathetic trunk?
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Which structure do sympathetic fibers destined for the abdominopelvic organs synapse with before reaching their target?
Which structure do sympathetic fibers destined for the abdominopelvic organs synapse with before reaching their target?
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What is the role of the cephalic arterial branch in the sympathetic pathway for the head and neck?
What is the role of the cephalic arterial branch in the sympathetic pathway for the head and neck?
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Which of the following structures is primarily innervated by the sympathetic fibers from T1-T5?
Which of the following structures is primarily innervated by the sympathetic fibers from T1-T5?
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Which type of nerve fibers are responsible for producing sweat in the skin?
Which type of nerve fibers are responsible for producing sweat in the skin?
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Study Notes
Simplified Sympathetic Nervous System
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Skin Pathway: Spinal Cord (T1-L2) → Sympathetic Trunk/Paravertebral Ganglia (all levels) → Peripheral Nerves → Skin (sweat glands, arrector pili muscles, and blood vessels)
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Organs of the Head & Neck Pathway: Spinal Cord (T1-T5) → Sympathetic Trunk/Paravertebral Ganglia (superior cervical ganglia) → Cephalic Arterial Branch (splanchnic nerve) → Organs of the Head & Neck (ciliary muscle, dilator pupillae, sensory from carotid sinus)
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Thoracic Organs Pathway: Spinal Cord (T1-T5) → Sympathetic Trunk/Paravertebral Ganglia (superior cervical ganglia to T5) → Cardiopulmonary Splanchnic Nerves → Thoracic Organs
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Abdominopelvic Organs Pathway: Spinal Cord (T5-L2) → Sympathetic Trunk → Splanchnic Nerves (e.g., Greater, Lesser, Least Thoracic and Lumbar) → Prevertebral Ganglia (e.g., Celiac, Superior Mesenteric Ganglia) → Abdominopelvic Organs
Skin Pathway Details
- Fibers enter sympathetic trunk via white ramus (T1-L2)
- May stay, or travel superior/inferior in trunk
- Synapse onto postganglionic neuron in paravertebral ganglia
- Exit via gray ramus
- Travel in peripheral nerves
Organs of the Head & Neck Pathway Details
- Fibers enter trunk via white ramus
- Travel superiorly to superior cervical ganglia
- Synapse on postganglionic neurons
- Exit via cephalic arterial branch
- Innervate the head and neck (ciliary muscle, dilator pupillae, sensory input from carotid sinus)
Thoracic Organs Pathway Details
- Fibers enter sympathetic trunk
- Synapse in paravertebral ganglia from superior cervical ganglion to T5
- Some travel to superior, middle or inferior cervical ganglia
- Synapse on postganglionic neurons
- Leave via trunk cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves
Abdominopelvic Organs Pathway Details
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Fibers enter trunk via white rami
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May travel inferior or leave as splanchnic nerves
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Splanchnic nerves synapse in prevertebral ganglia
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Pathway dependent on the specific organ
- Greater thoracic (T5-T9) -> Celiac paravertebral ganglion
- Lesser thoracic (T10-T11) -> Aorticorenal paravertebral ganglion
- Least thoracic (T12) -> Superior mesenteric paravertebral ganglion
- Lumbar (L1-L2/3) -> Inferior mesenteric ganglia
- Sacral splanchnic nerves -> pelvic organs
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Description
Explore the pathways of the Sympathetic Nervous System in this quiz. Understand how signals are transmitted from the spinal cord to various organs, including pathways for skin, head and neck, thoracic organs, and abdominopelvic organs. Test your knowledge on this essential aspect of human physiology.
