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


Origin:
   mid-thoracic segments (T5-T8)

Preganglionic Pathway:
   ventral root, spinal nerve,
   ramus communicans, sympathetic trunk,
   [ansa subclavia]

Ganglion:
   cervicothoracic ganglion &
   [middle cervical ganglion]

Postganglionic Pathway:
   branches from the ansa subclavia,
   [branches that run with the vagus nerve]

Target Organs:
      heart;
      bronchiole smooth muscle;
      blood vessel smooth muscle




pre-ganglionic path post-ganglionic path


Cadaver Images
(click to view enlarged)

Left. Cardiosympathetic nerve branches can be seen leaving the caudal limb of the ansa subclavia to innervate thoracic viscera.

Right. Canine cervicothoracic and middle cervical ganglia are connected by two lmbs of the ansa subclavia, through which the subcalvian artery passes.



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