Question 1

Which of the following best explains why the sympathetic nervous system shunts blood to skeletal muscles during stress?

Accepted Answer

To prepare the body for intense physical activity.

Question 2

During sympathetic activation, which physiological change occurs in the gastrointestinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Decreased activity and motility.

Question 3

Which structure acts as the 'train track' for nerve impulses in the sympathetic nervous system subway analogy?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic trunk

Question 4

A preganglionic neuron in the sympathetic division can synapse with a postganglionic neuron in how many ways?

Accepted Answer

$3$

Question 5

Which of the following statements about sympathetic innervation pathways is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A preganglionic and postganglionic neuron can synapse in the ventral horn of the spinal cord.

Question 6

Which of the following is a direct effect of sympathetic nervous system activation on the pupils?

Accepted Answer

Dilation of the pupils

Question 7

Why are many preganglionic fibers in the sympathetic division short?

Accepted Answer

Many preganglionic fibers synapse at the sympathetic trunk, which is close to the spinal cord.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the pathway for an impulse in the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord $\rightarrow$ preganglionic fiber $\rightarrow$ ganglion $\rightarrow$ postganglionic fiber $\rightarrow$ effector

Question 9

Which of the following structures would NOT be innervated by splanchnic nerves?

Accepted Answer

Skin

Question 10

In the sympathetic nervous system, a ganglion is a place where:

Accepted Answer

Neurons can synapse with each other.

Question 11

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the adrenal medulla?

Accepted Answer

It can be considered a modified sympathetic ganglion.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains the effect of sympathetic activation on the bronchioles of the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Dilation of bronchioles

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

None of the above are true.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the journey of an efferent neuron in the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord $\rightarrow$ fiber $\rightarrow$ trunk

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of sympathetic nervous system activation?

Accepted Answer

Increased motility of the gastrointestinal tract

Question 16

Which type of cell bodies are found in collateral ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Postganglionic sympathetic

Question 17

A preganglionic fiber arriving at the sympathetic trunk could do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Synapsing with a sensory neuron in the dorsal root ganglion.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic sympathetic fibers?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-life example of sympathetic nervous system activation?

Accepted Answer

Sweating during a stressful exam

Question 20

Which of the following is the correct formula for the pathway of a sympathetic impulse from the spinal cord to an effector?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Spinal cord} ightarrow 	ext{preganglionic fiber} ightarrow 	ext{ganglion} ightarrow 	ext{postganglionic fiber} ightarrow 	ext{effector}$

Sympathetic Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Pathways

Study Guide - Practice Questions