Which statement correctly describes the sympathetic division?

Which statement correctly describes the sympathetic division?

• A. Long postganglionic fiber
• B. Short postganglionic fiber
• C. Long preganglionic fiber
• D. Short preganglionic fiber

Answer: (A)

In the sympathetic division, the postganglionic neurons reside in ganglia near the spinal cord, while the preganglionic fibers are short and reach those ganglia quickly. The postganglionic fibers then extend a long distance to reach target organs, which is why the long postganglionic fiber description best captures this arrangement. This contrasts with the parasympathetic division, where the pattern is opposite: long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers. An exception to keep in mind is the adrenal medulla, which is directly innervated by preganglionic fibers and doesn’t involve a postganglionic neuron in the same way.

In the sympathetic division, the postganglionic neurons reside in ganglia near the spinal cord, while the preganglionic fibers are short and reach those ganglia quickly. The postganglionic fibers then extend a long distance to reach target organs, which is why the long postganglionic fiber description best captures this arrangement. This contrasts with the parasympathetic division, where the pattern is opposite: long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers. An exception to keep in mind is the adrenal medulla, which is directly innervated by preganglionic fibers and doesn’t involve a postganglionic neuron in the same way.