Advanced Greater Thoracic Splanchnic Nerve Quiz

Q1. Which sequence correctly traces a typical preganglionic sympathetic fiber that eventually enters the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve?

• Dorsal column, posterior root, vagus nerve, celiac plexus
• Anterior horn, phrenic nerve, sympathetic trunk, greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
• Intermediolateral cell column, anterior root, spinal nerve, white ramus, sympathetic trunk, greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
• Posterior root ganglion, posterior ramus, gray ramus, vagus nerve, celiac ganglion

Q2. Why can the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve carry preganglionic sympathetic fibers even though it arises from sympathetic trunk ganglia?

• They synapse and then become preganglionic again
• The fibers traverse the sympathetic trunk ganglia without synapsing
• The sympathetic trunk contains only preganglionic neurons
• They originate in the celiac ganglia

Q3. Where are the cell bodies of visceral pain afferent fibers traveling centrally through the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve located?

• Anterior horn of the spinal cord
• Celiac ganglia
• Sympathetic trunk ganglia
• Dorsal root ganglia

Q4. Which statement correctly distinguishes a celiac ganglion from a thoracic sympathetic trunk ganglion?

• The celiac ganglion is prevertebral, while thoracic sympathetic ganglia are paravertebral
• Thoracic sympathetic ganglia are located within the spinal cord
• Both are dorsal root ganglia
• The celiac ganglion is parasympathetic

Q5. Which pathway is followed by most postganglionic fibers after synapsing in the celiac ganglia?

• Posterior roots of thoracic spinal nerves
• Somatic motor nerves of the abdominal wall
• Periarterial plexuses accompanying abdominal arteries
• Phrenic nerves

Q6. Which organ receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers that may pass through the celiac ganglion without synapsing and terminate directly on chromaffin cells?

• Gallbladder
• Spleen
• Pancreatic duct
• Adrenal medulla

Q7. Which anatomical relationship is most characteristic of the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve within the posterior mediastinal region?

• It descends inside the esophageal lumen
• It travels inside the thoracic duct
• It passes through the pericardial cavity
• It descends along the vertebral column from the thoracic sympathetic trunk

Q8. Afferent fibers carrying pain from upper abdominal viscera can return toward the spinal cord through which nerve?

• Accessory nerve
• Hypoglossal nerve
• Long thoracic nerve
• Greater thoracic splanchnic nerve

Q9. Which comparison between the greater and lesser thoracic splanchnic nerves is correct?

• Only the lesser nerve contains visceral afferent fibers
• The greater nerve is parasympathetic while the lesser nerve is sympathetic
• The lesser nerve arises from cervical spinal nerves
• The greater nerve generally arises from higher thoracic levels than the lesser nerve

Q10. Which description best summarizes the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve?

• A thoracoabdominal visceral nerve carrying preganglionic sympathetic fibers and visceral afferents toward the celiac region
• A somatic nerve supplying the intercostal muscles and thoracic skin
• A parasympathetic nerve arising from the vagus
• A postganglionic sympathetic nerve supplying only the thoracic wall