Beginner Sympathetic Innervation of the Abdomen Quiz

Q1. From which general region of the spinal cord does sympathetic outflow arise?

• Cervical region only
• Sacral region only
• Thoracolumbar region
• Craniosacral region

Q2. Which nerves carry many preganglionic sympathetic fibers from the thorax toward abdominal prevertebral ganglia?

• Vagus nerves
• Phrenic nerves
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves
• Thoracic splanchnic nerves

Q3. Which type of ganglia are major relay sites for sympathetic innervation of abdominal viscera?

• Dorsal root ganglia
• Prevertebral ganglia
• Intramural parasympathetic ganglia only
• Ciliary ganglia

Q4. Which ganglion is closely associated with sympathetic supply to foregut derivatives?

• Celiac ganglia
• Submandibular ganglion
• Geniculate ganglion
• Otic ganglion

Q5. Which ganglion is closely associated with sympathetic supply to midgut derivatives?

• Inferior cervical ganglion
• Pterygopalatine ganglion
• Ciliary ganglion
• Superior mesenteric ganglion

Q6. Which ganglion is closely associated with sympathetic supply to hindgut derivatives?

• Celiac ganglion only
• Submandibular ganglion
• Otic ganglion
• Inferior mesenteric ganglion

Q7. After synapsing in prevertebral ganglia, how do many sympathetic fibers reach abdominal organs?

• Through the vagal trunks
• Through the brachial plexus
• Along periarterial plexuses
• Through the femoral canal

Q8. What is a common effect of sympathetic activity on gastrointestinal motility?

• No influence on gastrointestinal function
• Voluntary contraction of intestinal smooth muscle
• Reduced gastrointestinal motility
• Increased peristalsis throughout the gut

Q9. Which autonomic division generally causes vasoconstriction in many abdominal blood vessels?

• Enteric system exclusively
• Sympathetic division
• Somatic motor system
• Parasympathetic division exclusively

Q10. Which abdominal organ receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers that synapse directly on chromaffin cells?

• Appendix
• Gallbladder
• Pancreatic duct
• Adrenal medulla