Intermediate Sympathetic Innervation of the Abdomen Quiz

Q1. Which thoracic splanchnic nerve is most strongly associated with the celiac ganglia?

• Pelvic splanchnic nerve
• Greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
• Phrenic nerve
• Vagus nerve

Q2. Which thoracic splanchnic nerve commonly contributes fibers to the aorticorenal and superior mesenteric regions?

• Pudendal nerve
• Greater occipital nerve
• Lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve
• Pelvic splanchnic nerve

Q3. Which thoracic splanchnic nerve is commonly associated with the T12 level?

• Pelvic splanchnic nerve
• Greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
• Vagus nerve
• Least thoracic splanchnic nerve

Q4. What is the usual relationship of preganglionic sympathetic fibers to the sympathetic trunk before entering abdominal splanchnic nerves?

• They pass through the sympathetic trunk without synapsing
• They terminate in dorsal root ganglia
• They become parasympathetic fibers in the trunk
• They must synapse in every paravertebral ganglion

Q5. Which sympathetic pathway is especially important for the lower abdominal and hindgut region?

• Lumbar splanchnic nerves
• Phrenic nerves
• Vagal trunks
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves

Q6. What type of sympathetic fibers usually leave prevertebral ganglia to follow abdominal arteries?

• Postganglionic sympathetic fibers
• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers only
• Special visceral motor fibers of cranial nerves
• Somatic motor fibers

Q7. Which fibers commonly carry pain from many abdominal viscera back toward the spinal cord?

• Visceral afferents traveling with sympathetic pathways
• Parasympathetic efferents only
• Somatic efferents in the phrenic nerve only
• Branchial motor fibers

Q8. Why can visceral pain from abdominal organs be perceived in somatic regions?

• Conversion of visceral nerves into cutaneous nerves
• Exclusive transmission through cranial nerves
• Convergence of visceral and somatic afferent input in the spinal cord
• Direct motor innervation of skin by splanchnic nerves

Q9. How do sympathetic fibers commonly influence gastrointestinal sphincters?

• They always relax every sphincter
• They generally promote sphincter contraction
• They have no effect on smooth muscle
• They provide voluntary skeletal motor control

Q10. Which statement distinguishes sympathetic splanchnic nerves from pelvic splanchnic nerves?

• Thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves are sympathetic, while pelvic splanchnic nerves are parasympathetic
• All splanchnic nerves are somatic sensory nerves
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves arise from the sympathetic trunk
• All splanchnic nerves are parasympathetic