Sympathetic Division Pathways

Spinal Nerve Pathway Destination

integumentary structures of neck, torso, and limbs

Spinal Nerve Pathway Spinal Segment Origin

T1-L2

Spinal Nerve Pathway Postganglionic Axon Pathway from Sympathetic Trunk

via gray rami to all spinal nerves

Spinal Nerve Pathway Effectors Innervated

sweat glands, errector pili, blood vessels

Postganglionic Sympathetic Nerve Pathway Destiation

eye and neck viscera; thoracic viscera

Postganglionic Sympathetic Nerve Pathway Spinal Segment Origin

T1-T2 (primarily from T1); T1-T5

Postganglionic Sympathetic Nerve Pathway Postganglionic Axon Pathway from Sympathetic Trunk

superior cervical ganglion and travel w/ blood vessels to head and neck viscera; autonomic plexuses near organs

Postganglionic Sympathetic Nerve Pathway Effectors Innervated

dilator pupillae, superior tarsal muscle of eye; neck viscera, heart, lungs, blood vessels

Splachnic Nerve Pathway Destination

most abdominal viscera and pelvic viscera

Splachnic Nerve Pathway Spinal Segment Origin

T5-T12 (abdominal viscera); T10-L2 (pelvic viscera)

Splachnic Nerve Pathway Postganglionic Axon Pathway from Sympathetic Trunk

thoracic splachnic (abdominal viscera) and sacral splachnic nerves to autonomic nerve plexuses (pelvic viscera)

Adrenal Medulla Pathway Destination

Adrenal medulla

Adrenal Medulla Pathway Spinal Segment Origin

T8-T12

Adrenal Medulla Pathway Postganglionic Axon Pathway from Sympathetic Trunk

no ganglionic neurons; doesn’t synapse

Adrenal Medulla Pathway Effectors Innervated

neurosecretory cells (release epinephrine and NE)