Sympathetic Path to Pelvic Viscera
Head
Neck
Body Wall
Thorax
Abdomen
Pelvis


Origin:
   lumbar segments (L1 - L3)

Preganglionic Pathway:
   ventral root, spinal nerve,
   ramus communicans, sympathetic trunk,
   lumbar splanchnic nerves,
   caudal mesenteric nerve plexus

Ganglion:
   caudal mesenteric ganglion
   (also, some synapse in pelvic ganglia)

Postganglionic Pathway:
   left/right hypogastic nerve to pelvic plexus,
   pelvic plexus branches to pelvic viscera

Target Organs:
      pelvic viscera smooth muscle & glands:
      urinary, genital, rectum & anal canal;
      blood vessel smooth muscle




pre-ganglionic path post-ganglionic              path


Cadaver Images
(click to view enlarged)

Left. Bilateral hypogastric nerves arise from the caudal mesenteric ganglion and enter the pelvic canal. Lumbar splanchnic nerves convey sympathetic preganglionic fibers to the caudal mesenteric plexus and ganglion.

Right. The pelvic plexus receives parasympathetic input from the pelvic nerve and sympathetic input via the hypogastric nerve. Branches of the pelvic plexus go to pelvic viscera.



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