Beginner Sympathetic Trunk Quiz

Q1. Where is the cervical sympathetic trunk located?

• Within the vertebral canal
• Superficial to platysma
• Posterior to the carotid sheath on the prevertebral muscles
• Inside the carotid sheath between the artery and vein

Q2. How many named cervical sympathetic ganglia are classically described?

• Five
• One
• Three
• Eight

Q3. What is the largest cervical sympathetic ganglion?

• Inferior cervical ganglion
• Superior cervical ganglion
• Middle cervical ganglion
• Ciliary ganglion

Q4. Which cervical sympathetic ganglion is the smallest and most variable?

• Otic ganglion
• Trigeminal ganglion
• Middle cervical ganglion
• Superior cervical ganglion

Q5. The inferior cervical ganglion often fuses with which ganglion?

• Ciliary ganglion
• Geniculate ganglion
• Superior cervical ganglion
• First thoracic ganglion

Q6. What is the fused inferior cervical and first thoracic sympathetic ganglion called?

• Trigeminal ganglion
• Pterygopalatine ganglion
• Submandibular ganglion
• Stellate ganglion

Q7. Do preganglionic sympathetic fibers for the head originate in the cervical spinal cord?

• No, they ascend from upper thoracic spinal cord levels
• No, they arise from sacral spinal cord levels
• Yes, they arise from cranial nerve nuclei
• Yes, they arise from C1-C4 only

Q8. Which cervical sympathetic ganglion is the major source of postganglionic fibers to the head?

• Dorsal root ganglion of C2
• Middle cervical ganglion
• Inferior cervical ganglion
• Superior cervical ganglion

Q9. Which arteries provide major routes for sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion into the head?

• Pulmonary arteries
• Subclavian and axillary arteries only
• Anterior spinal artery only
• Internal and external carotid arteries

Q10. Which clinical syndrome can result from interruption of the cervical sympathetic pathway?

• Bell palsy
• Brown-Sequard syndrome
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Horner syndrome