Splanchnic nerves

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.

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

Types

The term splanchnic nerves can refer to:

• Cardiopulmonary nerves[1]
• Thoracic splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser, and least)
• Lumbar splanchnic nerves
• Sacral splanchnic nerves
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves

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	generally	Presynaptic		lower thoracic ganglia	Prevertebral ganglia
	Greater splanchnic nerve			T5-T9 or T10	Celiac ganglia
	Lesser splanchnic nerve			T10-T11	Superior mesenteric ganglia and Aorticorenal ganglia
	Least splanchnic nerve			T12	Renal plexus
Lumbar splanchnic nerves				L1-2	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	S2-S4	intrinsic ganglia of descending and sigmoid colon, rectum, and inferior hypogastric plexus and ganglia to the pelvic viscera

References

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