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.

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. Where can the collateral ganglia be found? Among the options below. The answer options are a alongside the vertebral column B at the base of the skull, C anterior to the vertebral column and D below the sacral region. So what are the collateral ganglia recall that the collateral ganglia are also known as the prevertebral ganglia. The collateral ganglia are located near their target organ in the abdomen and the pelvis. So where can they be found? Specifically? Option A alongside the vertebral column. This is more the location of the sympathetic chain ganglia, not the collateral ganglia. So option A is incorrect. Option B at the base of the skull. This is the site of the cranial nerves, not the collateral ganglia. So option B is also incorrect. Option D below the sacral region, parasympathetic ganglia are associated with the sacral region and below. So that makes option D incorrect as well. The correct answer is anterior to the vertebral column. Thus the name prevertebral ganglia since their location is on the front side of the vertebral column. So the correct answer again is option C anterior to the vertebral column. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.