Question 17

Describe the anatomy of the sympathetic nervous system.

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College Answer

Knowledge of the anatomy of the sympathetic nervous system is important in helping to understand its physiology, and the pharmacology of drugs that affect it. Such information is widely available within most physiology, and even pharmacology texts when mentioning the sympathetic nervous system. In general candidates lacked depth and often were inaccurate in their description. A systematic approach (e.g. spinal levels, pre-ganglionic, post-ganglionic, etc.) was often lacking.