Sympathetic ganglion 4754791 219718901 2008-06-16T15:50:07Z Medsta 7319909 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = g. sympathicum | GraySubject = | GrayPage = | Image = Gray839.png | Caption = Autonomic nervous system innervation, showing the [[sympathetic]] (thoracolumbar) and [[parasympathetic]] (craniosacral) systems, in red and blue, respectively | Image2 = Gray819.png | Caption2 = Diagram of the course and branches of a typical [[intercostal nerve]]. (Sympathetic ganglion visible at center top.)| System = | Precursor = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = g_02 | DorlandsSuf = 12385047 | }} '''Sympathetic ganglia''' are the [[autonomic ganglia|ganglia]] of the [[sympathetic nervous system]]. They deliver information to the body about [[stress (medicine)|stress]] and impending danger, and are responsible for the familiar [[fight-or-flight response]]. They contain approximately 20000&ndash;30000 nerve cell bodies and are located close to and either side of the spinal cord in long chains. ==Anatomy== ===Sympathetic chain ganglia=== The bilaterally symmetric [[sympathetic chain ganglia]], also called the [[paravertebral ganglia]], are located just anterior and lateral to the [[spinal cord]]. The chain extends from the upper neck down to the [[coccyx]], forming the unpaired [[coccygeal ganglion]]. Preganglionic nerves from the [[spinal cord]] [[synapse]] at one of the chain ganglia and the postganglionic fibre extends to an effector, typically a [[visceral organ]] in the [[thoracic cavity]]. ===Collateral ganglia=== Neurons of the [[collateral ganglia]], also called the [[prevertebral ganglia]], receive input from the [[splanchnic nerves]] and innervate organs of the [[abdominal]] and [[pelvis|pelvic]] region. These include the [[celiac ganglia]], [[superior mesenteric ganglia]], and [[inferior mesenteric ganglia]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray530.png|The thoracic aorta, viewed from the left side. Image:Gray799.svg|Scheme showing structure of a typical spinal nerve. Image:Gray1111.png|Transverse section of human embryo eight and a half to nine weeks old. </gallery> ==External links== * [http://microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/VSC401/autonomicNervous.html The Autonomic Nervous System] from the University of Arizona * {{NormanAnatomy|thoraxlesson5}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|paravertebralregion}}) * {{eMedicineDictionary|Sympathetic+ganglia}} {{Autonomic}} [[Category:Sympathetic nervous system]] [[es:Ganglio simpático]]