Multiple Choice
Which of the following signs of inadequate breathing is more prominent in children than in adults?
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14. The Autonomic Nervous System
Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System
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If the sympathetic trunk is damaged, which of the following effects is most likely to occur?
A
Loss of sympathetic innervation to target organs
B
Increased digestive activity
C
Decreased heart rate
D
Enhanced pupil dilation
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of the sympathetic trunk in the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic trunk is part of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response. It regulates functions such as increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and decreasing digestive activity.
Step 2: Analyze the effects of damage to the sympathetic trunk. Damage to this structure would result in a loss of sympathetic innervation to target organs, meaning the organs would no longer receive signals to perform sympathetic functions.
Step 3: Consider the physiological consequences of losing sympathetic innervation. Without sympathetic input, the parasympathetic division (responsible for 'rest and digest' functions) would dominate, leading to effects such as increased digestive activity and decreased heart rate.
Step 4: Evaluate the options provided in the question. Enhanced pupil dilation is a sympathetic response, so it would not occur if the sympathetic trunk is damaged. Increased digestive activity and decreased heart rate are parasympathetic responses, which align with the loss of sympathetic innervation.
Step 5: Conclude that the most likely effect of damage to the sympathetic trunk is the loss of sympathetic innervation to target organs, resulting in parasympathetic dominance and the associated physiological changes.
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