Final answer:
The parasympathetic nervous system features peripheral ganglia near the organs and is characterized by short postganglionic fibers, as these ganglia are located close to or within the target organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parasympathetic nervous system is characterized by peripheral ganglia near the organs and by short postganglionic fibers. This is because the ganglia, often called terminal or intramural ganglia, are located either close to or within the walls of the target effector organs. Therefore, the postganglionic fibers don't have to travel a long distance to reach the target tissue within the organ. On the other hand, the preganglionic fibers are long as they originate from the brain stem or sacral spinal cord and travel to the ganglia located near the organs.
The parasympathetic nervous system is characterized by peripheral ganglia near the organs and by short postganglionic fibers. The preganglionic fibers from the cranial region travel in cranial nerves, whereas preganglionic fibers from the sacral region travel in spinal nerves. The targets of these fibers are terminal ganglia, which are located near-or even within-the target effector. The postganglionic fiber projects from the terminal ganglia a short distance to the target effector, or to the specific target tissue within the organ.