Sympathetic ganglia are located outside the central nervous system, in the peripheral nervous system.

Sympathetic ganglia are located outside the central nervous system, in the peripheral nervous system.

• A. In the CNS
• B. In the PNS
• C. In the brainstem
• D. In the spinal cord

Answer: (B)

The key idea is where the postganglionic neuron cell bodies of the autonomic (sympathetic) system reside. Sympathetic ganglia are collections of neuron cell bodies outside the central nervous system, meaning they’re in the peripheral nervous system. The sympathetic chain along the vertebral column and the prevertebral (collateral) ganglia are all located in the PNS, not inside the brain or spinal cord. In contrast, the brainstem and spinal cord are components of the CNS, so they aren’t where these sympathetic ganglia are found. Therefore, the correct location is the peripheral nervous system.

The key idea is where the postganglionic neuron cell bodies of the autonomic (sympathetic) system reside. Sympathetic ganglia are collections of neuron cell bodies outside the central nervous system, meaning they’re in the peripheral nervous system. The sympathetic chain along the vertebral column and the prevertebral (collateral) ganglia are all located in the PNS, not inside the brain or spinal cord. In contrast, the brainstem and spinal cord are components of the CNS, so they aren’t where these sympathetic ganglia are found. Therefore, the correct location is the peripheral nervous system.