Thoracic splanchnic nerves
The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Greater and lesser splanchnic nerves labeled at left.)
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.)
Details
Fromthoracic ganglia
Innervatesgreater splanchnic nerve: celiac ganglia

lesser splanchnic nerve: superior mesenteric ganglion and aorticorenal ganglion

least splanchnic nerve: renal plexus
Identifiers
TA98A14.3.01.028
A14.3.01.032
A14.3.01.030
TA26631, 6632, 6634
FMA6280
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Thoracic splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that arise from the sympathetic trunk in the thorax and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic supply to the abdomen. The nerves contain preganglionic sympathetic fibers and general visceral afferent fibers.

Nerves

There are three main thoracic splanchnic nerves.[1]

Name Spinal Nerve Roots Ganglia Structure Function
Greater splanchnic nerve

[1][2]

T5–T9

[1]

T5–T9

T5–T10

[3]

The greater splanchnic nerve travels through the diaphragm and enters the abdominal cavity. Its fibers synapse at the celiac ganglia.[4] 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 greater splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the foregut. It stimulates contraction of the splanchnic vasculature, increasing blood pressure.[5] It also provides sympathetic innervation to the adrenal medulla, stimulating catecholamine release. It may provide sensory innervation to the pancreas.[1]
Lesser splanchnic nerve

[1][2]

T9–T12

[1]

T9–T12

T9–T10

T10–T12

T10–T11

[3]

The lesser splanchnic nerve travels inferiorly, lateral to the greater splanchnic nerve. Its fibers synapse with their postganglionic counterparts in the superior mesenteric ganglion, or in the aorticorenal ganglion.[4] The lesser splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the midgut.
Least splanchnic nerve

[1][2]

T12

[1]

T12–L2

T11–T12[6]

The least splanchnic nerve travels into the abdomen medial to the sympathetic trunk.[6] Its fibers synapse in the renal plexus.[4][6]


Additional images

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Kline, Matthew T. (2007-01-01), Waldman, Steven D.; Bloch, Joseph I. (eds.), "chapter 169 – Radiofrequency Techniques", Pain Management, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 1411–1459, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7216-0334-6.50173-4, ISBN 978-0-7216-0334-6, retrieved 2020-11-23
  2. ^ a b c Moore, Keith (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Wolters Kluwer. pp. 59–61. ISBN 9781496347213.
  3. ^ a b thoraxlesson5 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
  4. ^ a b c Waxenbaum, Joshua A. (29 July 2021). "Anatomy, Autonomic Nervous System". StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30969667 – via Europe PMC.
  5. ^ Bapna, Anisha; Adin, Christopher; Engelman, Zoar J.; Fudim, Marat (2020-08-01). "Increasing Blood Pressure by Greater Splanchnic Nerve Stimulation: a Feasibility Study". Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research. 13 (4): 509–518. doi:10.1007/s12265-019-09929-7. ISSN 1937-5395. PMID 31691154. S2CID 207896247.
  6. ^ a b c Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Susan Standring (41st ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. 2015. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9. OCLC 920806541.((cite book)): CS1 maint: others (link)

External links

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