Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

13. The Peripheral Nervous System

Introduction to the Peripheral Nervous System

Anatomy & Physiology

13. The Peripheral Nervous System

Introduction to the Peripheral Nervous System

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Problem 3

Textbook Question

Spinal nerves are called mixed nerves because they
(a) Contain sensory and motor fibers
(b) Exit at intervertebral foramina
(c) Are associated with a pair of spinal ganglia
(d) Are associated with posterior and anterior roots

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of spinal nerves: Spinal nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system and connect the spinal cord to the rest of the body. They are formed by the merging of two roots: the anterior (ventral) root and the posterior (dorsal) root.

Learn the function of the anterior root: The anterior root contains motor fibers that carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, enabling movement and responses.

Learn the function of the posterior root: The posterior root contains sensory fibers that carry signals from sensory receptors in the body to the central nervous system, allowing the brain to process sensory information.

Understand why spinal nerves are called mixed nerves: Since spinal nerves contain both sensory fibers (from the posterior root) and motor fibers (from the anterior root), they are classified as mixed nerves. This dual function allows them to transmit both sensory and motor information.

Review the options provided in the question: Based on the explanation above, identify the correct reason why spinal nerves are called mixed nerves. The correct answer is (a) because they contain both sensory and motor fibers.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mixed Nerves

Mixed nerves are those that contain both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers. This dual functionality allows them to transmit sensory information from the body to the central nervous system while also conveying motor commands from the central nervous system to the muscles. In the context of spinal nerves, this means they can facilitate reflex actions and voluntary movements.

Spinal Ganglia

Spinal ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system, specifically associated with spinal nerves. They play a crucial role in processing sensory information before it reaches the spinal cord. Each spinal nerve has a pair of ganglia that contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons, which are essential for transmitting sensory signals.

Anterior and Posterior Roots

The anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) roots of spinal nerves are responsible for different functions. The anterior root contains motor fibers that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, while the posterior root contains sensory fibers that transmit information from the body to the spinal cord. Together, these roots merge to form the mixed spinal nerve, enabling coordinated sensory and motor functions.

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Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Match each type of neuroglial cell with its correct function.

____ Schwann cells

____ Ependymal cells

____ Microglial cells

____ Oligodendrocytes

____ Satellite cells

____ Astrocytes

a. Phagocytic cells of the CNS

b. Surround the cell bodies of neurons in the PNS

c. Create the myelin sheath in the PNS

d. Anchor neurons and blood vessels, maintain extracellular environment around neurons, assist in repair of damaged brain tissue

e. Create the myelin sheath in the CNS

f. Ciliated cells in the CNS that produce and circulate the fluid around the brain and spinal cord

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Textbook Question

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

d. The term nerve is the equivalent of the term neuron.

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Textbook Question

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

e. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

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Textbook Question

The anterior roots of each spinal segment

(a) Bring sensory information into the spinal cord

(b) Control peripheral effectors

(d) Do both b and c

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Textbook Question

Match the names of the cranial nerves in column B to the appropriate description in column A.

Column A

_______ (1) Causes pupillary constriction

_______ (2) The major sensory nerve of the face

_______ (3) Serves the sternocleido-mastoid and trapezius muscles

_______ (4) Purely sensory (two nerves)

_______ (5) Serves the tongue muscles

_______ (6) Allows you to chew your food

_______ (7) Impaired in Bell's palsy

_______ (8) Helps regulate heart activity

_______ (9) Helps you hear and maintain your balance

_______ (10) Contain parasympathetic motor fibers (four nerves)

Column B

a. Abducens

b. Accessory

c. Facial

d. Glossopharyngeal

e. Hypoglossal

f. Oculomotor

g. Olfactory

h. Optic

i. Trigeminal

j. Trochlear

k. Vagus

l. Vestibulocochlear

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Textbook Question

The connective tissue sheath that surrounds a fascicle of nerve fibers is the

a. Epineurium

b. Endoneurium

c. Perineurium

d. Epimysium

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Textbook Question

A sensory region monitored by the posterior rami of a single spinal segment is

(a) A ganglion

(b) A fascicle

(d) A ramus

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Textbook Question

Which contains only motor fibers?

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Spinal nerves are called mixed nerves because they (a) Contain sensory and motor fibers(b) Exit at intervertebral foramina(c) Are associated with a pair of spinal ganglia(d) Are associated with posterior and anterior roots

Key Concepts

Mixed Nerves

Spinal Ganglia

Anterior and Posterior Roots

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Spinal nerves are called mixed nerves because they
(a) Contain sensory and motor fibers
(b) Exit at intervertebral foramina
(c) Are associated with a pair of spinal ganglia
(d) Are associated with posterior and anterior roots