Splanchnic nerves

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Splanchnic nerves
Gray839.png
Nerves of the autonomic nervous system, with splanchnic nerves seen in center.
Identifiers
MeSH D013153
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

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

Contents

Types

The term splanchnic nerves can refer to:

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 generallyPresynapticlower thoracic ganglia Prevertebral ganglia
Greater splanchnic nerve T5T9 or T10 Celiac ganglia
Lesser splanchnic nerve T10T11 Superior mesenteric ganglia and Aorticorenal ganglia
Least splanchnic nerve T12 Renal plexus
Lumbar splanchnic nerves L12 Inferior mesenteric ganglia, ganglia of intermesenteric and hypogastric plexuses
Sacral splanchnic nerves sacral part of sympathetic trunk inferior hypogastric plexus and ganglia to the pelvic viscera
Pelvic splanchnic nerves parasympathetic S2S4 intrinsic ganglia of descending and sigmoid colon, rectum, and inferior hypogastric plexus and ganglia to the pelvic viscera

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pudendal nerve</span> Main nerve of the perineum

The pudendal nerve is the main nerve of the perineum. It is a mixed nerve and also conveys sympathetic autonomic fibers. It carries sensation from the external genitalia of both sexes and the skin around the anus and perineum, as well as the motor supply to various pelvic muscles, including the male or female external urethral sphincter and the external anal sphincter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autonomic nervous system</span> Division of the nervous system supplying internal organs, smooth muscle and glands

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), sometimes called the visceral nervous system and formerly the vegetative nervous system, is a division of the nervous system that operates internal organs, smooth muscle and glands. The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, its force of contraction, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. This system is the primary mechanism in control of the fight-or-flight response.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levator ani</span> Broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis

The levator ani is a broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis. It is formed from three muscle components: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parasympathetic nervous system</span> Division of the autonomic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system, and sometimes considered an independent system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinal nerve</span> Nerve that carries signals between the spinal cord and the body

A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. In the human body there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, one on each side of the vertebral column. These are grouped into the corresponding cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions of the spine. There are eight pairs of cervical nerves, twelve pairs of thoracic nerves, five pairs of lumbar nerves, five pairs of sacral nerves, and one pair of coccygeal nerves. The spinal nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coccygeus muscle</span> Muscle of the lower back arising by its apex from the spine of the ischium

The coccygeus muscle or ischiococcygeus is a muscle of the pelvic floor located posterior to levator ani and anterior to the sacrospinous ligament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obturator nerve</span>

The obturator nerve in human anatomy arises from the ventral divisions of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves in the lumbar plexus; the branch from the third is the largest, while that from the second is often very small.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perineal nerve</span> Nerve of the perineum

The perineal nerve is a nerve of the pelvis. It arises from the pudendal nerve in the pudendal canal. It gives superficial branches to the skin, and a deep branch to muscles. It supplies the skin and muscles of the perineum. Its latency is tested with electrodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sympathetic trunk</span> Bundle of nerve fibers

The sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx. They are a major component of the sympathetic nervous system.

Each spinal nerve receives a branch called a gray ramus communicans from the adjacent paravertebral ganglion of the sympathetic trunk. The gray rami communicantes contain postganglionic nerve fibers of the sympathetic nervous system and are composed of largely unmyelinated neurons. This is in contrast to the white rami communicantes, in which heavily myelinated neurons give the rami their white appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoracic splanchnic nerves</span>

Thoracic splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that arise from the sympathetic trunk in the thorax and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic supply to the abdomen. The nerves contain preganglionic sympathetic fibers and general visceral afferent fibers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior hypogastric plexus</span>

The inferior hypogastric plexus is a network of nerves that supplies the organs of the pelvic cavity. The inferior hypogastric plexus gives rise to the prostatic plexus in males and the uterovaginal plexus in females.

Pelvic splanchnic nerves or nervi erigentes are splanchnic nerves that arise from sacral spinal nerves S2, S3, S4 to provide parasympathetic innervation to the organs of the pelvic cavity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacral splanchnic nerves</span>

Sacral splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that connect the inferior hypogastric plexus to the sympathetic trunk in the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbosacral trunk</span> Nervous tissue that connects the lumbar plexus with the sacral plexus

The lumbosacral trunk is nervous tissue that connects the lumbar plexus with the sacral plexus. It is formed by the union of parts of the fourth and fifth lumbar nerves and descends to join the sacral plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypogastric nerve</span> Human nerves

The hypogastric nerves are the continuation of the superior hypogastric plexus that descend into the pelvis anterior the sacrum and become the inferior hypogastric plexuses on either side of pelvic organs. The hypogastric nerves serve as a pathway for autonomic fibers to communicate between the lower abdomen and pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General visceral afferent fiber</span> Part of the visceral nervous system

The general visceral afferent (GVA) fibers conduct sensory impulses from the internal organs, glands, and blood vessels to the central nervous system. They are considered to be part of the visceral nervous system, which is closely related to the autonomic nervous system, but 'visceral nervous system' and 'autonomic nervous system' are not direct synonyms and care should be taken when using these terms. Unlike the efferent fibers of the autonomic nervous system, the afferent fibers are not classified as either sympathetic or parasympathetic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prevertebral fascia</span> Layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column

The prevertebral fascia is the layer of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the vertebral column. It is the deepest layer of deep cervical fascia.

The levator ani nerve is a nerve to the levator ani muscles. It originates from sacral spinal nerve 4.

The Intermesenteric plexus is a nerve plexus on the abdominal aorta, between the exits of the superior and inferior mesenteric artery.

References

  1. Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 3 ed. 2007. Page 181
  2. 1 2 3 4 Unless else specified in boxes, then ref is: Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 3 ed. 2007. Page 181