Which statement regarding the sympathetic nervous system is correct?

The correct statement regarding the sympathetic nervous system indicates that the neurotransmitter at the sympathetic ganglion is acetylcholine (ACh). In the sympathetic nervous system's structure, the first nerve in the pathway—known as the preganglionic neuron—releases acetylcholine at the synapse with the postganglionic neuron. This process occurs in the sympathetic ganglia, where ACh binds to nicotinic receptors on the postganglionic neurons.

Following this synapse, the postganglionic neurons then generally release norepinephrine (NE) as the primary neurotransmitter at the target organs, which is important for mediating the "fight-or-flight" responses. However, at the level of the sympathetic ganglion itself, acetylcholine is indeed the neurotransmitter that facilitates communication between the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons.

Understanding this pathway is crucial for grasping how the sympathetic nervous system functions, particularly in contrast to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is characterized by its "rest-and-digest" functions, primarily mediated by ACh throughout its pathways.