Neurosurgery notes/Anatomy/Peripheral nerves anatomy/Autonomic nerves

Autonomic nerves

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Parent item
Peripheral nerves anatomy
Sub-item
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic

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Transverse section of the spinal cord showing its characteristic appearance at thoracic levels (T4). The white matter appears large in relation to the rather diminutive amount of gray matter. Posterior and anterior horns are small, especially when compared to low cervical levels and to lumbar levels. The overall shape of the cord is round. The thoracic spinal cord appears round in CT myelogram.
Transverse section of the spinal cord showing its characteristic appearance at thoracic levels (T4). The white matter appears large in relation to the rather diminutive amount of gray matter. Posterior and anterior horns are small, especially when compared to low cervical levels and to lumbar levels. The overall shape of the cord is round. The thoracic spinal cord appears round in CT myelogram.
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Special points

  • Sympathetic fibers exit the spinal cord via the ventral roots by way of the white rami communicantes. The white ramus preganglionic fibers are myelinated but the post ganglionic fibers are non-myelinated
  • The T2 and T3 ganglia supplies the arm
  • Sleep deprivation increases sympathetic output and decreases parasympathetic output.
  • The sympathetic plexus lies slightly ventral to the costovertebral joint
  • Sympathetic outflow arises from the intermediolateral nucleus of the spinal cord from T1 to L2.