Question

Once inside the sympathetic chain ganglion, the preganglionic fiber may:

Answer 1

Preganglionic sympathetic fibers can take different paths once inside the sympathetic chain ganglion. They can synapse at the same level, project to a superior or inferior ganglion, or project through splanchnic nerves to a collateral ganglion or the adrenal medulla.

Step-by-step explanation:

Preganglionic sympathetic fibers can have different pathways once they enter the sympathetic chain ganglion. They can synapse on a ganglionic neuron at the same level (Figure 15.3a) or project to a more superior or inferior ganglion in the chain (Figure 15.3b). Another pathway is when a branch projects through the white ramus communicans and does not terminate on a ganglionic neuron in the chain. Instead, it projects through splanchnic nerves to a collateral ganglion or the adrenal medulla. This pathway allows for hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine to be released into the bloodstream rather than interacting with an organ directly.