Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for changes in skin temperature and conductance following spinal manipulation?

• A. Parasympathetic nervous system
• B. Sympathetic nervous system
• C. Somatic nervous system
• D. Central nervous system

Answer: (B)

The sympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for regulating involuntary physiological responses, particularly those related to the body's fight-or-flight response. It plays a vital role in controlling blood vessel constriction and dilation, which significantly impacts skin temperature and sweat gland activity. Following spinal manipulation, activation of the sympathetic nervous system can lead to changes in skin temperature due to alterations in blood flow. For instance, vasodilation may cause localized warming of the skin, while vasoconstriction may lead to coolness.

Additionally, the sympathetic nervous system influences sweat gland secretion, affecting skin conductance. The overall effects of sympathetic activation are associated with the body's need to respond to stressors, which can be evoked during manipulation, leading to modifications in skin temperature and conductance as part of a broader physiological response.

Other divisions of the autonomic nervous system, such as the parasympathetic nervous system, primarily promote rest-and-digest activities and are not typically associated with the excitatory responses relevant to skin temperature changes. The somatic nervous system governs voluntary muscle functions and does not have a direct role in the involuntary responses of the skin. The central nervous system, while crucial in processing and relaying information, is not directly responsible for the immediate changes in skin temperature and