Advanced Lesser Thoracic Splanchnic Nerve Quiz

Q1. Which sequence correctly traces a preganglionic sympathetic fiber before it becomes part of the lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve?

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

Q2. Why do fibers in the lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve remain preganglionic after passing through the thoracic sympathetic trunk?

• They originate in the aorticorenal ganglion
• They never enter the sympathetic trunk
• They synapse and then become preganglionic again
• They pass through the paravertebral ganglia without synapsing

Q3. Where are the cell bodies of visceral pain afferents that return through the lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve located?

• Dorsal root ganglia
• Sympathetic trunk ganglia
• Aorticorenal ganglia
• Anterior horn

Q4. Which description correctly distinguishes the aorticorenal ganglion from a thoracic sympathetic ganglion?

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

Q5. Which comparison between the greater and lesser thoracic splanchnic nerves is correct?

• Only the greater nerve can carry visceral afferent fibers
• The greater nerve arises from lumbar spinal nerves
• The lesser nerve is parasympathetic while the greater nerve is sympathetic
• The lesser nerve generally arises from lower thoracic levels than the greater nerve

Q6. Which comparison between the lesser and least thoracic splanchnic nerves is generally correct?

• The lesser nerve is somatic, while the least is parasympathetic
• Both arise from cervical sympathetic ganglia
• The lesser nerve arises from T1, while the least arises from T2
• The lesser nerve usually arises from T10 and T11, while the least usually arises from T12

Q7. After synapsing in an aorticorenal or related prevertebral ganglion, how do sympathetic fibers generally reach their target organs?

• Through periarterial autonomic plexuses
• Through the phrenic nerves
• Through somatic motor nerves
• Through posterior roots of spinal nerves

Q8. Which organ is particularly associated with sympathetic fibers distributed through the renal plexus?

• Lacrimal gland
• Thyroid gland
• Parotid gland
• Kidney

Q9. Why can pain from abdominal viscera be transmitted centrally through the lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve?

• The nerve contains special visual fibers
• The nerve is a purely somatic sensory nerve
• Visceral pain afferents can travel with sympathetic pathways
• The nerve carries auditory information from abdominal organs

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

• A cutaneous nerve supplying the lower intercostal spaces
• A somatic motor nerve supplying the diaphragm
• A lower thoracic visceral nerve carrying preganglionic sympathetic fibers and visceral afferents toward abdominal prevertebral ganglia and plexuses
• A parasympathetic nerve supplying the thoracic wall