Intermediate Sympathetic Chain Ganglia Quiz

Q1. Where do neural crest cells that form sympathetic ganglia aggregate during development?

• Within the notochord
• Inside the surface ectoderm
• Inside the neural tube lumen
• Dorsolateral to the developing aorta

Q2. Which developmental movement is essential for formation of sympathetic chain ganglia?

• Fusion of somites with the neural tube
• Migration of myotomes into the brain
• Migration of endoderm into the spinal cord
• Ventral migration from the dorsal neural tube

Q3. Why are there usually only three principal cervical sympathetic ganglia?

• Fusion of segmental cervical ganglia
• Loss of all cervical sympathetic neurons
• Transformation into dorsal root ganglia
• Absence of neural crest cells in the neck

Q4. Which cervical sympathetic ganglion is generally the largest?

• Inferior mesenteric ganglion
• Ganglion impar
• Superior cervical ganglion
• Middle cervical ganglion

Q5. What commonly forms the stellate ganglion?

• Fusion of the superior and middle cervical ganglia
• Fusion of the first and second lumbar ganglia
• Fusion of the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia
• Fusion of the right and left superior cervical ganglia

Q6. Why are white rami communicantes restricted to thoracolumbar spinal levels?

• Cervical spinal nerves lack all sympathetic fibers
• Sympathetic preganglionic outflow arises from thoracolumbar levels
• Neural crest cells occur only in the thorax
• Gray rami are absent outside the thorax

Q7. Why are gray rami communicantes present at essentially every spinal nerve level?

• Gray rami carry only sensory fibers
• Preganglionic neurons exist at every spinal level
• Gray rami are extensions of dorsal roots
• Postganglionic fibers are distributed from the trunk to spinal nerves at many levels

Q8. Where are thoracic sympathetic ganglia commonly located relative to the ribs?

• Inside the lung hilum
• Within the sternum
• Superficial to pectoralis major
• Near the heads and necks of the ribs

Q9. What can a preganglionic sympathetic fiber do after entering the sympathetic trunk?

• Synapse locally, ascend or descend, or pass through without synapsing
• Only synapse at its entry level
• Always leave through a gray ramus immediately
• Terminate in a dorsal root ganglion

Q10. Which neurotransmitter is released by sympathetic preganglionic neurons in sympathetic ganglia?

• Norepinephrine exclusively
• Dopamine exclusively
• Acetylcholine
• Serotonin exclusively