Sympathetic trunk 4533509 206490807 2008-04-18T14:03:19Z Shunju-kun 6329475 interwiki {{Refimprove|date=March 2008}} {{Infobox Nerve | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = truncus sympathicus | GraySubject = 214 | GrayPage = 976 | Image = Gray847.png | Caption = Abdominal portion of the [[sympathetic trunk]], with the [[celiac plexus]] and [[hypogastric plexus]]. (Sympathetic trunk labeled at center left.) | Image2 = Gray799.svg | Caption2 = Scheme showing structure of a typical [[spinal nerve]]. 1. Somatic efferent. 2. Somatic afferent. 3,4,5. Sympathetic efferent. 6,7. Sympathetic afferent. | Innervates = | BranchFrom = | BranchTo = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = t_20 | DorlandsSuf = 12826120 | }} The '''sympathetic trunk''' ('''sympathetic chain''', '''gangliated cord''') is a bundle of nerve fibers that runs from the base of the [[skull]] to the [[coccyx]]. There are two sympathetic trunks in the body, a right one and a left one. ==Structure== The sympathetic trunk travels in a downward direction from the skull, just lateral to the vertebral bodies. It interacts with the [[spinal nerves]] or their ventral root by way of [[rami communicantes]]. The superior end of it is continued upward through the [[carotid canal]] into the skull, and forms a [[plexus]] on the [[internal carotid artery]]; the inferior part travels in front of the [[coccyx]], where it converges with the other trunk at a structure known as the [[ganglion impar]]. Along the length of the sympathetic trunk are [[ganglia]] known as [[paravertebral ganglia]]. ==Function== The sympathetic trunk is a fundamental part of the sympathetic division of the [[autonomic nervous system]]. It allows nerve fibers to travel to spinal nerves that are superior and inferior to the one in which it originated. Also, a number of nerves, such as most of the [[splanchnic nerves]], arise directly from the trunks. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Spinal nerve.svg|The formation of the spinal nerve from the dorsal and ventral roots. Image:Gray503.png|Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery. Image:Gray530.png|The thoracic aorta, viewed from the left side. Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. Image:Gray837.png|Sacral plexus of the right side. Image:Gray839.png|Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system. Image:Gray840.png|Sympathetic connections of the ciliary and superior cervical ganglia. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Splanchnic nerves]] * [[Spinal nerves]] * [[Autonomic nervous system]] * [[Horner's syndrome]] ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|21|04|04}} - "The position of the right and left vagus nerves, and sympathetic trunks in the mediastinum." * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|15|01|02}} - "The Female Pelvis: The Posterolateral Pelvic Wall" * {{GPnotebook|-1764753348}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|Sympathetic+trunk}} * {{UMichAtlas|n3a6p1}} - "Autonomic Connections of the Spinal Cord" * [http://www.umm.edu/thoracic/images/sym_lg2.jpg Diagram at umm.edu] {{Gray's}}{{Autonomic}} {{Spinal cord}} [[Category:Nervous system]] [[de:Grenzstrang]] [[hr:Simpatički lanac]] [[ja:交感神経幹]] [[pl:Pień współczulny]]