Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

Which vertebral levels are associated with the uterus?

1. T10-L1

2. L1-L2

3. T12

4. T8-T10

The correct answer is: T10-L1

The correct choice, which associates the uterus with the vertebral levels T10-L1, highlights the neuroanatomical connections that influence uterine function. The sympathetic innervation of the uterus arises from the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spinal cord, specifically from T10 to L1. At the T10-L1 levels, sympathetic fibers exit the spinal cord, travel through the sympathetic chain, and innervate the organs of the pelvis, including the uterus. This pathway plays a crucial role in regulating various functions of the uterus, such as contraction during labor and menstrual processes, which are influenced by sympathetic nervous system activity. Understanding these vertebral levels is essential for recognizing the autonomic control of the reproductive system. The other choices do not encompass the full range of sympathetic innervation associated with the uterus: - L1-L2 are more related to lower abdominal organs and might miss relevant fibers that originate earlier. - T12 and T8-T10 fall short of capturing the full extent of the sympathetic involvement as they do not represent the primary vertebral segments responsible for uterine innervation. Thus, T10-L1 is the most accurate and relevant choice for the question posed.