Splanchnic nerves
From Freepedia
The splanchnic nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system. Most autonomic nerves synapse in the sympathetic trunk along the spinal cord, but splanchnic nerves pass through the trunk, travel near their target organ, and synapse in prevertebral ganglia.
Thoracic splancnic nerves provide sympathetic innervation to the abdomen, regulating a wide range of digestive functions. They consist of three branches:
- Greater splanchnic (T5-T9): innervate the foregut
- Lesser splanchnic (T10-11): innervate the midgut
- Least splanchnic (T12): innervate the hindgut
Pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4) provide parasympathetic innervation to the hindgut. They innervate the pelvic and genital organs, regulating the emptying of the urinary bladder and the rectum as well as sexual functions like erection and orgasm.
Sacral splanchnic nerves innervate the inferior hypogastric plexus.
