Nerv06/introduction/position of autonomic ganglia
| The autonomic ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system are close to the central nervous system. Those of the parasympathetic nervous system are close to (or inside) the organ. |
In both the sympathetic (dotted line) and parasympathetic (solid line) nervous systems, the axon (nerve fiber) of the neuron leaving the central nervous system, changes the neuron once before innervating the effector. The synapse between these two neurons is called the (autonomic) ganglion. The (black-colored) neuron from the central nervous system to the (autonomic) ganglion is called the pre-ganglionic neuron. The (pink-colored) neuron from the (autonomic) ganglion to the effector, is called the post-ganglionic neuron. The axons of the pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons are the pre- and post-ganglionic fibers, respectively.
The representative ganglion of the sympathetic nervous system is the sympathetic trunk. The sympathetic trunk is located on both sides of the spinal cord. The ganglia of the para-sympathetic nerves are generally located inside (or close to) the innervated organs.
Challenge Quiz
Inside the sympathetic trunk is the cell body of the sympathetic pre-ganglionic post-ganglionic neuron.
Inside the sympathetic trunk is the nerve ending of the sympathetic pre-ganglionic post-ganglionic neuron.
The sympathetic ganglion is often in the innervated organ sympathetic trunk .
The para-sympathetic ganglion is often in the innervated organ sympathetic trunk .
In the sympathetic nerve, the pre-ganglionic fiber is long and the post-ganglionic fiber is short pre-ganglionic fiber is short and the post-ganglionic fiber is long 。
In the para-sympathetic nerve, the pre-ganglionic fiber is long and the post-ganglionic fiber is short pre-ganglionic fiber is short and the post-ganglionic fiber is long 。