| 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 | |
| From | Thoracic ganglia |
| Innervates | Greater splanchnic nerve:celiac ganglia lesser splanchnic nerve:superior mesenteric ganglion andaorticorenal ganglion least splanchnic nerve:renal plexus |
| Identifiers | |
| TA98 | A14.3.01.028 A14.3.01.032 A14.3.01.030 |
| TA2 | 6631,6632,6634 |
| FMA | 6280 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Thoracic splanchnic nerves aresplanchnic nerves that arise from thesympathetic trunk in thethorax and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic supply to theabdomen. The nerves containpreganglionic sympathetic fibers andgeneral visceral afferent fibers.
There are three main thoracic splanchnic nerves.[1]
| Name | Spinal Nerve Roots | Ganglia | Structure | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater splanchnic nerve | T5–T9 | T5–T9 T5–T10 | The greater splanchnic nerve travels through thediaphragm and enters theabdominal cavity. Its fibers synapse at theceliac ganglia.[4] The nerve contributes to theceliac plexus, a network of nerves located in the vicinity of where theceliac trunk branches from theabdominal aorta. | The greater splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of theenteric nervous system of theforegut. It stimulates contraction of the splanchnic vasculature, increasingblood pressure.[5] It also provides sympathetic innervation to theadrenal medulla, stimulatingcatecholamine release. It may provide sensory innervation to thepancreas.[1] |
| Lesser splanchnic nerve | T9–T12 | T9–T12 T9–T10 T10–T12 T10–T11 | The lesser splanchnic nerve travels inferiorly, lateral to the greater splanchnic nerve. Its fibers synapse with their postganglionic counterparts in thesuperior mesenteric ganglion, or in theaorticorenal ganglion.[4] | The lesser splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of theenteric nervous system of themidgut. |
| Least splanchnic nerve | T12 | T12–L2 T11–T12[6] | The least splanchnic nerve travels into the abdomen medial to thesympathetic trunk.[6] Its fiberssynapse in therenal plexus.[4][6] |
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)Anatomy of theautonomic nervous system | |||||
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| Head |
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| Neck |
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| Thorax |
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| Abdomen |
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| Pelvis |
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