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]]