Which of the Following Statements Regarding the Sympathetic Chain Ganglia

Question

Which of the following statements regarding the sympathetic chain ganglia is true?
A) Fibers entering a sympathetic chain ganglion must always synapse within the sympathetic chain ganglion at the level of entry.
B) Fibers entering a sympathetic chain ganglion cannot pass through the sympathetic chain without synapsing within the sympathetic chain ganglion at the level of entry.
C) Each ganglion in the sympathetic chain innervates one or more particular body segments.
D) Fibers entering a sympathetic chain ganglion must always ascend within the sympathetic chain.
E) Each ganglion in the sympathetic chain innervates only one particular body segment.

Accepted Answer

Each ganglion in the sympathetic chain innervates one or more particular body segments. This means that fibers entering a particular ganglion will eventually travel to specific parts of the body that are innervated by that ganglion. Choice A is false because fibers do not always have to synapse within the ganglion at the level of entry. They can also ascend or descend within the sympathetic chain before synapsing. Choice B is also false because fibers can pass through the sympathetic chain without synapsing at all. Choice D is false because fibers can also descend within the sympathetic chain. Choice E is false because each ganglion innervates multiple segments of the body.