Thorax: autonomic effect on the lungs: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Thorax: autonomic effect on the lungs

Sample item

The pulmonary plexus at the lung root receives fibres from the vagus nerves and the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk. What is the effect of vagal stimulation on the bronchi?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Bronchoconstriction with increased mucous secretion

Parasympathetic fibres from the vagus cause smooth-muscle constriction of the bronchi and stimulate secretion from bronchial glands. Sympathetic fibres from T2 to T4 cause bronchodilation and reduce secretion, which is the basis for using sympathomimetics in asthma.

Option by option

  • A. Bronchodilation with increased mucous secretion

    Dilation is not a vagal effect, and the secretory pairing is not a standard autonomic response.

  • B. Bronchoconstriction with reduced mucous secretion

    Secretion is increased, not reduced, with vagal stimulation.

  • C. Bronchodilation with reduced mucous secretion

    This describes sympathetic effects, not vagal ones.

  • D. Bronchoconstriction with increased mucous secretion (correct)

    Correct. Vagal activity constricts bronchial muscle and increases secretion.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Bronchoconstriction with increased mucous secretion. Parasympathetic fibres from the vagus cause smooth-muscle constriction of the bronchi and stimulate secretion from bronchial glands.

Why is "Bronchodilation with increased mucous secretion" not the answer?

Dilation is not a vagal effect, and the secretory pairing is not a standard autonomic response.

Why is "Bronchoconstriction with reduced mucous secretion" not the answer?

Secretion is increased, not reduced, with vagal stimulation.

Why is "Bronchodilation with reduced mucous secretion" not the answer?

This describes sympathetic effects, not vagal ones.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: autonomic effect on the lungs in Anatomy. Sympathetic fibres from T2 to T4 cause bronchodilation and reduce secretion, which is the basis for using sympathomimetics in asthma.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thorax: autonomic effect on the lungs?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.