Question

Damage to the ventral roots of the first five thoracic spinal nerves on the right side of the body would interfere with the ability to

a) dilate the right pupil
b) dilate the left pupil
c) contract the right biceps brachii muscle
d) contract the left biceps brachii muscle

Answer 1

Damage to the ventral roots of the first five thoracic spinal nerves on the right side of the body would interfere with the ability to dilate the right pupil and contract the right biceps brachii muscle.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the ventral roots of the first five thoracic spinal nerves on the right side of the body are damaged, it would interfere with the ability to dilate the right pupil and contract the right biceps brachii muscle. The dilatation of the pupils is controlled by the oculomotor nerve, which is connected to the Eddinger-Westphal nucleus. The contraction of the biceps brachii muscle is controlled by the ventral roots in the thoracic spinal nerves. Therefore, damage to these ventral roots would result in the loss of these functions on the right side of the body.