Parasympathetic Path to Thoracic Viscera

Origin:
   parasympathetic nucleus of the vagus nerve

Preganglionic Pathway:
   left/right vagus nerve, vagosympathetic trunk
   vagus nerve in the thoracic cavity
   vagal branches to heart & lungs, etc.

Ganglion:
   terminal ganglia (within organs innervated)

Postganglionic Pathway:
   microscopic nerve plexuses within organs

Target Organs:
      heart;
      lungs: bronchiolar smooth muscle
      ureter, urinary bladder & urethra;
      smooth mucle of the esophagus & trachea.


pre-ganglionic path postganglionic terminal ganglia


Cadaver Images
(click to view enlarged)

Left. The left vagus nerve divides into dorsal and ventral branches. Right and left branches combine to form vagal nerve trunks.

Right. The right vagosympathetic nerve trunk is continued as the vagus nerve caudal to the middle cervical ganglion. The right vagus nerve gives off the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which hooks around the subclavian artery.



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