Where is the postganglionic neuron located in the autonomic pathway?

Where is the postganglionic neuron located in the autonomic pathway?

• A. In the spinal cord gray matter.
• B. Postganglionic neuron in a peripheral ganglion.
• C. In the dorsal root ganglion.
• D. In the brainstem.

Answer: (B)

Autonomic signaling uses a two-neuron chain: the preganglionic neuron starts in the central nervous system and synapses with the postganglionic neuron in a peripheral autonomic ganglion. The postganglionic neuron’s cell body sits in these peripheral ganglia, outside the CNS, and its axon then reaches the target organ. In the sympathetic system, these ganglia lie along the spine (sympathetic chain) or in collateral ganglia; in the parasympathetic system, they are near or within the target organ. The spinal cord gray matter contains the cell bodies of preganglionic neurons, not postganglionic ones, while the dorsal root ganglion holds sensory neuron cell bodies, not autonomic efferents. The brainstem houses preganglionic parasympathetic neurons for some cranial nerves, not postganglionic cell bodies. Hence, the postganglionic neuron is located in a peripheral autonomic ganglion.

Autonomic signaling uses a two-neuron chain: the preganglionic neuron starts in the central nervous system and synapses with the postganglionic neuron in a peripheral autonomic ganglion. The postganglionic neuron’s cell body sits in these peripheral ganglia, outside the CNS, and its axon then reaches the target organ. In the sympathetic system, these ganglia lie along the spine (sympathetic chain) or in collateral ganglia; in the parasympathetic system, they are near or within the target organ. The spinal cord gray matter contains the cell bodies of preganglionic neurons, not postganglionic ones, while the dorsal root ganglion holds sensory neuron cell bodies, not autonomic efferents. The brainstem houses preganglionic parasympathetic neurons for some cranial nerves, not postganglionic cell bodies. Hence, the postganglionic neuron is located in a peripheral autonomic ganglion.