Intermediate Sympathetic Trunk Quiz

Q1. At approximately which vertebral levels is the superior cervical ganglion usually found?

• C2-C3
• L1-L2
• T4-T5
• C6-C7

Q2. What is a typical relationship of the superior cervical ganglion to the internal carotid artery?

• Inside the internal carotid artery
• Lateral to the external jugular vein only
• Within the thyroid gland
• Posterior or posteromedial to the internal carotid artery

Q3. What structure is closely related to the middle cervical ganglion near the lower neck?

• Middle meningeal artery
• Superficial temporal artery
• Inferior thyroid artery
• Facial artery

Q4. What is the ansa subclavia?

• A vagal loop around the common carotid artery
• A sympathetic loop around the subclavian artery
• A branch of the cervical plexus around the internal jugular vein
• A venous arch connecting the subclavian veins

Q5. Which structure usually lies anterior to the cervical sympathetic trunk?

• Spinal cord
• Carotid sheath
• Ligamentum flavum
• Spinous processes

Q6. Which prevertebral muscle is closely related to much of the cervical sympathetic trunk?

• Masseter and temporalis
• Longus capitis and longus colli
• Mylohyoid and geniohyoid
• Sternohyoid and omohyoid

Q7. How do postganglionic sympathetic fibers reach cervical spinal nerves?

• Through the phrenic nerve exclusively
• Through gray rami communicantes
• Through white rami communicantes at every cervical level
• Through dorsal roots only

Q8. Are white rami communicantes normally present in the cervical region?

• Yes, but only at C1
• Yes, they connect directly to cranial nerves
• No, cervical white rami communicantes are absent
• Yes, one is present at every cervical level

Q9. Which cervical sympathetic ganglia contribute sympathetic cardiac nerves?

• Superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglia
• Only the inferior cervical ganglion
• Only the superior cervical ganglion
• Only the middle cervical ganglion

Q10. How do sympathetic fibers reach the dilator pupillae muscle?

• Via the facial nerve through the chorda tympani
• Via the glossopharyngeal nerve
• Via the internal carotid sympathetic plexus
• Via parasympathetic fibers in the oculomotor nerve