Beginner Sympathetic Innervation of the Abdomen Quiz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Gallbladder
• Pancreatic duct
• Appendix
• Adrenal medulla