14. The Autonomic Nervous System

Why does the sympathetic nervous system cause decreased activity in the digestive tract?

Which of the following statements is true?

Why are many preganglionic fibers in the sympathetic nervous system short?

Efferent neurons in the sympathetic nervous system will always arise in the __________________. Then, they will pass through the sympathetic ____________, where they will either synapse with another neuron, or continue towards the effector and synapse later on.

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

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

Which of the following actions would you expect when sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine onto β1 receptors?

a. Decreased sweat production

b. Constriction of blood vessels serving the digestive, urinary, and integumentary systems

c. Adjustment of the shape of the lens

d. Increase in the rate and force of contraction of the heart.

Fill in the blanks: The sympathetic nervous system is also known as the ________ division because the cell bodies of its preganglionic neurons are located in the ________ .

Sympathetic preganglionic neurons synapse:

a. directly on target cells.

b. on skeletal muscle fibers.

c. on sympathetic chain or collateral ganglia.

d. on vagal ganglia.

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

b. Sympathetic stimulation increases sweat secretion.

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

d. Sympathetic tone controls the resting rate of the heart.

Using 20 or fewer words, define each of the following terms in your own words.

a. Sympathetic nervous system

You are running a race to the top of a mountain. Explain all the changes your sympathetic nervous system will initiate to maintain homeostasis as you run the race.

Mr. Chevalier has been diagnosed with Horner syndrome, which is caused by dysfunction of the sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion that innervate structures of the head, face, and neck. What symptoms is Mr. Chevalier likely to face due to his disease? Explain.

Common findings in heart failure are fluid retention by the kidneys and stimulation of the heart by the sympathetic nervous system. How would both of these findings help the body to compensate for the failing heart?