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

14. The Autonomic Nervous System

Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System

Anatomy & Physiology

14. The Autonomic Nervous System

Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System

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Multiple Choice

If the sympathetic trunk is damaged, which of the following effects is most likely to occur?

Loss of sympathetic innervation to target organs

Increased digestive activity

Decreased heart rate

Enhanced pupil dilation

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Verified step by step guidance

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.