Nerve
Greater splanchnic nerve
Thoracic sympathetic fibers continuing to the upper abdomen
High-yield
T5–T9 is the usual segmental range, with variation. The preganglionic cell bodies are in the spinal cord, not in the thoracic ganglia through which their axons pass.
Overview
Branches from several thoracic sympathetic ganglia unite into this nerve, but its preganglionic fibers have not yet synapsed. They descend through the diaphragm toward abdominal ganglia, especially the celiac ganglia.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Axons of thoracic spinal-cord preganglionic neurons, collected into branches leaving the sympathetic trunk
- Root value
- Commonly T5–T9, with variable contributions
- Course
- Descends across the thoracic vertebral bodies and traverses the diaphragm toward the celiac ganglia
- Motor
- Preganglionic sympathetic output; after a ganglionic relay, fibers reach foregut structures through abdominal plexuses
- Sensory
- Visceral afferents from upper abdominal organs, including foregut pain pathways
Clinical correlation
Pain signals from foregut organs can return along this pathway and be perceived in the epigastric region. Referred location is an anatomical pattern, not a reliable diagnosis of a particular organ.
Frequently asked questions
What are the roots of the greater splanchnic nerve?
Commonly T5–T9, with variable contributions.
What muscles does the greater splanchnic nerve supply?
Preganglionic sympathetic output; after a ganglionic relay, fibers reach foregut structures through abdominal plexuses.
What is the sensory distribution of the greater splanchnic nerve?
The greater splanchnic nerve carries sensation from the visceral afferents from upper abdominal organs, including foregut pain pathways.
What is the course of the greater splanchnic nerve?
Descends across the thoracic vertebral bodies and traverses the diaphragm toward the celiac ganglia.