Which of the Following is Characteristic of the Sympathetic Nervous

Question

Which of the following is characteristic of the sympathetic nervous system?
A) Craniosacral outflow
B) Cholinergic fibers only
C) Paravertebral ganglia
D) Postganglionic transmitter is ACh

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is characterized by the thoracolumbar outflow, which means that the preganglionic fibers originate from the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord and synapse with the postganglionic fibers in the paravertebral ganglia. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer as it describes the paravertebral ganglia. Choices A and B are incorrect as they describe the characteristics of the parasympathetic nervous system, which has the craniosacral outflow and cholinergic fibers only. Choice D is incorrect as the postganglionic transmitter for the sympathetic nervous system is norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in most cases.