Splanchnic_nerves

Splanchnic nerves

Nerve: Splanchnic nerves

Nerves of the autonomic nervous system, with splanchnic nerves seen in center.

The splanchnic nerves are paired nerves that contribute to the innervation of the viscera, carrying fibers of the autonomic nervous system (visceral efferent fibers) as well as sensory fibers from the organs (which are also known as visceral afferent fibers). All carry sympathetic fibers except for the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which carry parasympathetic fibers.

Types

Specifically, the term "splanchnic nerves" can refer to:

Cardiopulmonary nerves^[1]
Thoracic splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser, and least)
Lumbar splanchnic nerves
Sacral splanchnic nerves
Pelvic splanchnic nerves

Comparison
Nerve		Pre-/postsynaptic ^[2]	autonomic system^[2]	Origin^[2]	Targets^[2]
Cardiopulmonary nerves		Postsynaptic	sympathetic	cervical and upper thoracic ganglia	Thoracic cavity
Thoracic splanchnic nerves	generally	Presynaptic		lower thoracic ganglia	Prevertebral ganglia
	Greater splanchnic nerve			T5-T9 or T10	Celiac ganglia
	Lesser splanchnic nerve			T10-T11	Aorticorenal ganglia
	Least splanchnic nerve			T12	Superior mesenteric ganglia
Lumbar splanchnic nerves				lumbar ganglia	Inferior mesenteric ganglia, ganglia of intermesenteric and hypogastric plexuses
Sacral splanchnic nerves
Pelvic splanchnic nerves			parasympathetic	sacral ganglia (S2-S4)	intramural ganglia of descending and sigmoid colon, rectum and pelvic viscera

References

^ Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 164
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Unless else specified in boxes, then ref is: Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 164

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v • d • e Nerves - autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nervous system/ganglion/trunks and parasympathetic nervous system/ganglion)

Head/cranial	Ciliary ganglion: roots (Sensory, Parasympathetic, Sympathetic) - Short ciliary Pterygopalatine ganglion: deep petrosal - nerve of pterygoid canal branches of distribution: greater palatine (inferior posterior nasal branches) - lesser palatine - nasopalatine (medial superior posterior nasal branches) - pharyngeal Submandibular ganglion Otic ganglion

Neck/cervical	paravertebral ganglia: Cervical ganglia (Superior, Middle, Inferior) - Stellate ganglion prevertebral plexus: Cavernous plexus - Internal carotid

Chest/thorax	paravertebral ganglia: Thoracic ganglia prevertebral plexus: Cardiac plexus - Esophageal plexus - Pulmonary plexus - Thoracic aortic plexus splanchnic nerves: cardiopulmonary - thoracic cardiac nerves: Superior - Middle - Inferior

Abdomen/Lumbar	paravertebral ganglia: Lumbar ganglia prevertebral ganglia: Celiac ganglia (Aorticorenal) - Superior mesenteric ganglion - Inferior mesenteric ganglion prevertebral plexus: Celiac plexus - (Hepatic, Splenic, Pancreatic) - aorticorenal (Abdominal aortic plexus, Renal/Suprarenal) - Superior mesenteric (Gastric) - Inferior mesenteric (Spermatic, Ovarian) - Superior hypogastric (hypogastric nerve, Superior rectal) - Inferior hypogastric (Vesical, Prostatic/Cavernous nerves of penis, Uterovaginal, Middle rectal) splanchnic nerves: Lumbar splanchnic nerves enteric nervous system: Meissner's plexus • Auerbach's plexus

Pelvis/sacral	paravertebral ganglia: Sacral ganglia - Ganglion impar splanchnic nerves: Pelvic splanchnic nerves - Sacral splanchnic nerves

All	Rami communicans (White, Gray) - Preganglionic fibers - Postganglionic fibers