Which of the following statements is true about the autonomic nervous system?
High-Yield Explanation
Superior hypogastric plexus is an extension of the aoic plexus. It is located anterior to the aoa and inferior to its bifurcation at the veebra level of L5-S1. The lower two lumbar splanchnic nerves also send input to this plexus. This plexus descends and divides along the internal iliac aeries to form the hypogastric nerve which connects with inferior hypogastric plexus.The plexus recieves autonomic sensory fibres from both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems from the pelvic viscera. It mediates painful visceral stimuli from most of the pelvic structures including descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, prostate, bladder, cervix, uterus, upper vagina, testicles and seminal vesicles. Ref: Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 23rd Edition, Chapter 17; Handbook of Pain and Palliative Care: Biobehavioral Approaches for the Life Course By Rhonda J. Moore, Page 541.