Which statement is correct regarding the autonomic nervous system?

The statement that the heart receives both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation is accurate because the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is divided into two main branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system generally prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses, increasing heart rate and contractility, while the parasympathetic system promotes "rest and digest" activities, slowing the heart rate and reducing contractility.

Both branches innervate the heart to maintain homeostasis and respond to various physiological demands. The balance of activities from these two systems ensures that the heart can adjust its function according to the body's needs, such as during stress or relaxation. This dual innervation is crucial for fine-tuning cardiac output and vascular tone, allowing the heart to respond appropriately to changing conditions in a dynamic environment.

In contrast, other statements present inaccuracies regarding the autonomic nervous system's organization and function. For example, afferent neurons actually carry sensory information from the periphery back to the central nervous system rather than from the CNS to effector organs. Preganglionic sympathetic neurons originate primarily from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, not from cranial nerves or the sacral region, as those areas are