Sympathetic Path to Trunk Wall & Limbs
Head
Neck
Body Wall
Thorax
Abdomen
Pelvis


Origin:
   thoraco-lumbar segments (T1-L4)

Preganglionic Pathway:
   ventral root, spinal nerve, ramus communicans,
   sympathetic trunk,

Ganglion:
   sympathetic trunk (paravertebral) ganglia

Postganglionic Pathway:
   rami communicantes to spinal nerves,
   dorsal or ventral primary branches of spinal nerves

Target Organs:
      arrector pili smooth muscle (piloerection);
      sweat glands;
      blood vessel smooth muscle



pre-ganglionic path post-ganglionic path

Cadaver Image
(click to view enlarged)

The sympathetic trunk is exposed in the dorsal wall of a canine thorax. Several rami communicantes, connecting sympathetic trunk to spinal nerves, can be seen.



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