Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Cardiac muscles are controlled by which division of the nervous system?

1. Sympathetic

2. Somatic

3. Autonomic

4. Central

The correct answer is: Autonomic

Cardiac muscles are primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating involuntary physiological functions, including heart rate and blood pressure. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two main branches: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic division tends to increase heart rate and the force of contractions, while the parasympathetic division decreases heart rate. In contrast, the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and is not involved in the operation of the heart. The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, processes and integrates sensory information but does not directly control cardiac muscle function. Thus, the autonomic nervous system's role in regulating cardiac muscle activity highlights its critical function in maintaining homeostasis and responding to physiological demands.