| Thoracic splanchnic nerves | |
| Innervates: | Greater splanchnic nerve: celiac ganglialesser splanchnic nerve: superior mesenteric ganglion and aorticorenal ganglionleast splanchnic nerve: renal plexus |
| Branchfrom: | Thoracic ganglia |
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.
There are three main thoracic splanchnic nerves.
| Name | Spinal Nerve Roots | Ganglia | Structure | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater splanchnic nerve | T5–T9 | T5–T9T5–T10 | The greater splanchnic nerve travels through the diaphragm and enters the abdominal cavity. Its fibers synapse at the celiac ganglia.[1] The nerve contributes to the celiac plexus, a network of nerves located in the vicinity of where the celiac trunk branches from the abdominal aorta. | The greater splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the foregut. It stimulates contraction of the splanchnic vasculature, increasing blood pressure.[2] It also provides sympathetic innervation to the adrenal medulla, stimulating catecholamine release. It may provide sensory innervation to the pancreas. | |
| Lesser splanchnic nerve[3] | T9–T12 | T9–T12T9–T10 T10–T12 T10–T11 | The lesser splanchnic nerve travels inferiorly, lateral to the greater splanchnic nerve. Its fibers synapse with their postganglionic counterparts in the superior mesenteric ganglion, or in the aorticorenal ganglion. | The lesser splanchnic nerve modulates the activity of the enteric nervous system of the midgut. | |
| Least splanchnic nerve | T12 | T12–L2T11–T12[4] | The least splanchnic nerve travels into the abdomen medial to the sympathetic trunk. Its fibers synapse in the renal plexus. |