NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Thoracic Sympathetic Chain and
Splanchnic Nerves
1. Cervicothoracic (stellate) ganglion
2. Cervical cardiac nerves (sympathetic and vagal)
3. Right greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
4. Right lesser thoracic splanchnic nerve
5. Right lowest thoracic splanchnic nerve
6. Left greater thoracic splanchnic nerve
7. Left sympathetic trunk
8. Cardiac plexus
9. Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
10. Left vagus nerve
Comment: The sympathetic chain (postganglionic sympathetic
neurons, paravertebral ganglia) extends from the neck to the
pelvis. Collateral ganglia (prevertebral ganglia) are found associated
with the great vessels and distribute short postganglionic fibers
to internal target organs. Cholinergic preganglionic neurons from
the intermediolateral cell column (T1–L2) send axons through the
ventral root and then into the white rami communicantes to either
synapse in the sympathetic chain ganglia or pass through the chain
and travel via splanchnic nerves (myelinated preganglionic axons)
to collateral ganglia. Injury or damage to the ganglia themselves,
the preganglionic input to them, or the central control over the
preganglionic neurons can result in sympathetic dysfunction to the
target organs, resulting in such symptoms as bradycardia, orthostatic
hypotension, loss of sweating, and miosis.
Regional Neuroscience See book 9.50