Thoracic splanchnic nerves
5121477
187441316
2008-01-28T10:17:53Z
Mikael Häggström
2615838
wikify
{{Infobox Nerve |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = |
GraySubject = 217 |
GrayPage = 981 |
Image = Gray838.png |
Caption = The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Greater and lesser splanchnic nerves labeled at left.) |
Image2 = Gray847.png |
Caption2 = Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses. (Greater splanchnic and lowest splanchnic labeled at upper left. Greater splanchnic and lesser splanchnic labeled at upper right.) |
Innervates = |
BranchFrom = [[thoracic ganglia]] |
BranchTo = |
MeshName = Splanchnic+Nerves |
MeshNumber = A08.800.050.050.800 |
}}
'''Thoracic splanchnic nerves''' are [[splanchnic nerves]] that arise from the [[sympathetic trunk]] in the [[thorax]] and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic innervation to the [[abdomen]]. The nerves contain [[preganglionic sympathetic]] and [[visceral afferent]] fibers.
There are three main thoracic splanchnic nerves:
{| class="wikitable"
| '''Name''' || '''Ganglia''' || '''Description'''
|-
| '''greater'''<ref>{{Dorlands|n_05|12566702}}</ref> || T5-T9<ref>{{GPnotebook|-1777991622}}</ref> or T5-T10<ref name="norman">{{NormanAnatomy|thoraxlesson5}}</ref> || The nerve travels through the [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]] and enters the abdominal cavity, where its fibers synapse at the [[celiac ganglia]]. The nerve contributes to the [[celiac plexus]], a network of nerves located in the vicinity of where the [[celiac trunk]] branches from the [[abdominal aorta]]. The fibers in this nerve modulate the activity of the [[enteric nervous system]] of the [[foregut]]. They also provide the sympathetic innervation to the [[adrenal medulla]], stimulating [[catecholamine]] release.
|-
| '''lesser'''<ref name="DorlandsLesser">{{Dorlands|n_05|12566712}}</ref> || T9-T12, T9-T10<ref name="DorlandsLesser"> </ref><ref>{{GPnotebook|389349435}}</ref>, T10-T12, or T10-T11<ref name="norman"> </ref> || The nerve travels inferiorly, lateral to the greater splanchnic nerve. Its fibers synapse with their postganglionic counterparts in the [[celiac ganglia]], or in the [[aorticorenal ganglion]]. The nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the [[midgut]].
|-
| '''least''' or '''lowest'''<ref>{{Dorlands|n_05|12566675}}</ref> || T12-L2, or T11-T12<ref>{{GPnotebook|154468411}}</ref> || The nerve travels into the abdomen, where its fibers synapse in the [[renal ganglia]].
|}
The nerve's origins can be remembered by the "4-3-2 rule", accounting for the number of ganglia giving rise to each nerve. However, different sources define the nerves in different ways, so this rule may not always be reliable.
==Additional images==
[[Image:Greater splanchnic nerve.png|thumb|left|300px|Greater splanchnic nerve, seen in [[thoracic cavity]] seen from left side.]]
<gallery>
Image:Gray839.png|Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system.
Image:Gray845.png|Plan of right sympathetic cord and splanchnic nerves.
Image:Gray848.png|The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.
Image:Gray849.png|Lower half of right sympathetic cord.
Image:Gray1120.png|The relations of the viscera and large vessels of the abdomen. Seen from behind, the last thoracic vertebra being well raised.
</gallery>
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Thoracic+splanchnic+nerves}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|21|04|07}} - "The position of the right and left vagus nerves, and sympathetic trunks in the mediastinum."
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|10|01|02}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Celiac Plexus"
* {{GPnotebook|-1274675140}}
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_30/30-4.HTM}}
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM}}
{{Autonomic}}
{{neuroscience-stub}}
[[de:Nervus splanchnicus major]]