Autonomic Nervous System Anatomy and Visceral Innervation MCQs

Anatomy · 35 free questions with answers & explanations.

1. The preganglionic sympathetic fibres destined for the adrenal medulla arise from which spinal cord segments and travel via which nerve?
2. Hirschsprung's disease results from failure of neural crest cell migration into the hindgut, leaving an aganglionic segment. The missing ganglia are those of the:
3. The parasympathetic supply to the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum arises from sacral spinal segments S2–S4 and reaches the gut via:
4. During a radical prostatectomy, injury to the neurovascular bundles running posterolateral to the prostate at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions causes erectile dysfunction. These bundles contain fibres from which autonomic source?
5. Referred pain from the diaphragm to the shoulder tip is mediated via which nerve?
6. A patient undergoing left thoracoscopic sympathectomy at T2–T3 for palmar hyperhidrosis develops ipsilateral partial ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis of the face. The most likely injured structure is:
7. Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres destined for the parotid gland travel via which route from the brain to their ganglion?
8. Visceral afferents transmitting pain from the gallbladder travel with sympathetic fibres and enter the spinal cord at which spinal segment, explaining referred pain to the right shoulder tip?
9. The pelvic splanchnic nerves (nervi erigentes) carry preganglionic parasympathetic fibres that synapse in ganglia located:
10. The celiac ganglion receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers from which spinal cord levels?
11. Pain from the gallbladder is referred to the tip of the right shoulder (Kehr's sign equivalent region). The afferent pain fibers from the gallbladder travel via which route?
12. The sacral parasympathetic outflow (pelvic splanchnic nerves, S2–S4) supplies the hindgut distal to which anatomical landmark?
13. Horner syndrome results from interruption of the sympathetic pathway. At which level does the preganglionic sympathetic neuron for the eye's dilator pupillae originate?
14. The preganglionic sympathetic fibres supplying the adrenal medulla differ from all other sympathetic pathways because they:
15. A 65-year-old man undergoes left radical nephrectomy. Postoperatively he reports ejaculatory dysfunction (dry ejaculation). Which autonomic structure was most likely inadvertently damaged?
16. The ciliary ganglion, located in the orbit, contains postganglionic fibres that constrict the pupil. These fibres travel in:
17. Referred pain from the diaphragm to the shoulder tip is mediated by which nerve?
18. The preganglionic parasympathetic neurons controlling the urinary bladder detrusor muscle are located in:
19. During a right hemicolectomy, inadvertent damage to the superior mesenteric plexus disrupts sympathetic innervation. Which visceral response is specifically expected?
20. The ciliary ganglion (parasympathetic) receives its preganglionic input from which cranial nerve nucleus and carries postganglionic fibres that supply:
21. A patient with a C8–T1 cord lesion (complete) develops loss of sweating and vasodilatation in the ipsilateral hand. The preganglionic sympathetic fibres responsible for the hand originate from:
22. The celiac ganglion receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers from which spinal levels via the greater splanchnic nerve?
23. Pain from the body of the uterus (fundus and corpus) is referred to the T10–L1 dermatomes. Which pathway carries this visceral afferent signal?
24. A surgical sympathectomy at the level of T2–T3 ganglia is performed for palmar hyperhidrosis. Which complication must be specifically anticipated from damage to the T1 ganglion?
25. The submandibular ganglion receives its preganglionic parasympathetic input from which cranial nerve nucleus, and via which nerve does it reach the ganglion?
26. The celiac ganglion receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers from which spinal cord levels, and these fibers travel via which nerve?
27. A surgical injury to the presacral nerve (superior hypogastric plexus) during Hartmann's procedure leads to which functional deficit?
28. Which ganglion provides parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland, and the preganglionic fibers reach it via which cranial nerve branch?
29. Hirschsprung disease (congenital aganglionosis of the colon) results from failure of neural crest cell migration into the colon wall. The aganglionic segment lacks which specific neural plexuses?
30. The celiac plexus (solar plexus) receives input from preganglionic sympathetic fibers traveling via which nerves?
31. A patient undergoing pelvic surgery has the inferior hypogastric plexus injured bilaterally. Which functional deficit would NOT be expected?
32. The white rami communicantes carry which type of nerve fibers?
33. Referred pain from the heart is perceived in the left arm and the T1–T4 dermatomes because of:
34. Which ganglion provides parasympathetic secretomotor innervation to the parotid gland via the auriculotemporal nerve?
35. The celiac plexus receives preganglionic sympathetic fibers primarily from which spinal cord segments?