Case #4

Mary, a first-year dental student, complained of feeling cold in the anatomy laboratory. Both her hands felt like icicles and sometimes her fingernails even appeared blue. She noticed that these attacks were particularly bad just before the oral quizes but would clear-up after the exam.

1. What could be the cause of her blue (cyanotic) fingers?
2. What nervous system would be involved in initiating this syndrome?
3. Trace the specific nervous pathway from the central nervous system to her index finger and thumb, the digits that show the worst effects.