In the parasympathetic nervous system, preganglionic fibers are ________ and postganglionic fibers are __________.

• A. Short; long.
• B. Short; short.
• C. Long; short.
• D. Long; long.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of the autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for 'rest and digest' activities.
2. Recognize that the autonomic nervous system consists of two types of neurons: preganglionic and postganglionic fibers. Preganglionic fibers originate in the central nervous system and synapse with postganglionic neurons outside the CNS.
3. In the parasympathetic nervous system, preganglionic fibers are typically longer because they extend from the CNS to ganglia located near or within the target organs.
4. Postganglionic fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system are shorter because they connect the ganglia to the target organs, which are nearby.
5. Compare this arrangement to the sympathetic nervous system, where preganglionic fibers are shorter and postganglionic fibers are longer, as sympathetic ganglia are located closer to the spinal cord.