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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about the anatomy and structure of the sympathetic division is correct?
A
The sympathetic division originates only from the cranial nerves.
B
The sympathetic division is also known as the craniosacral division.
C
The sympathetic ganglia are located within the walls of target organs.
D
The sympathetic division has short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response and originates from the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord (T1-L2). This is distinct from the parasympathetic division, which originates from the craniosacral region.
Step 2: Review the structure of sympathetic ganglia. Sympathetic ganglia are located near the spinal cord, not within the walls of target organs. This is a key difference from the parasympathetic division, where ganglia are located closer to or within the target organs.
Step 3: Examine the fiber lengths in the sympathetic division. The preganglionic fibers are short because they synapse in ganglia close to the spinal cord, while the postganglionic fibers are long as they extend to the target organs.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect statements based on anatomical knowledge. The sympathetic division does not originate only from cranial nerves (it originates from the thoracolumbar region), nor is it known as the craniosacral division (this term refers to the parasympathetic division).
Step 5: Confirm the correct statement: The sympathetic division has short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers. This aligns with the anatomical structure and function of the sympathetic division.