Abdominal Portion of the Sympathetic System

(Pars Abdominalis S. Sympathici; Lumbar Portion of Gangliated Cord)


The abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk (Fig. 90847). is situated in front of the vertebral column, along the medial margin of the Psoas major. It consists usually of four lumbar ganglia, connected together by interganglionic cords. It is continuous above with the thoracic portion beneath the medial lumbocostal arch, and below with the pelvic portion behind the common iliac artery. The ganglia are of small size, and placed much nearer the median line than are the thoracic ganglia.
  Gray rami communicantes pass from all the ganglia to the lumbar spinal nerves. The first and second, and sometimes the third, lumbar nerves send white rami communicantes to the corresponding ganglia. The rami communicantes are of considerable length, and accompany the lumbar arteries around the sides of the bodies of the vertebræ, passing beneath the fibrous arches from which some of the fibers of the Psoas major arise.

Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses - Figure 90847

FIG. 90847– Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses. (Henle.)
 
  Of the branches of distribution, some pass in front of the aorta, and join the aortic plexus; others descend in front of the common iliac arteries, and assist in forming the hypogastric plexus.

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 Gray's Anatomy
 
 1. Embriology
 
 2. Osteology
menuVertebral Column
menuSkull
menuCranial Bones
menuFacial Bones
menuExtremities
 
 3. Arthrology
menuTrunk Articulations
menuUpper Extremity Articulations
menuPelvis Articulations
menuLower Extremity Articulations
 
 4. Myology
menuMuscles of the Head
menuMuscles of the Trunk
menuMuscles of the Upper Extremity
menuMuscles of the Lower Extremity
 
 5. Angiology
menuThoracic Cavity
 
 6. The Arteries
menuArteries of the Head and Neck
menuArteries of the Upper Extremity
menuArteries of the Trunk
menuArteries of the Lower Extremity
 
 7. The Veins
menuSystemic Veins
 
 8. The Lymphatic System
 
 9. Neurology
menuBrain or Encephalon
menuCranial Nerves
menuSpinal Nerves
menuSympathetic Nerves
 
 10. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument
menuThe Peripheral Organs of the Special Senses
 
 11. Splanchnology
menuThe Respiratory Apparatus
menuThe Digestive Apparatus
menuThe Urogenital Apparatus
menuThe Ductless Glands
 
 12. Surface Anatomy and Surface Markings
 
menuMuscle Tables
 
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menu1. Introduction
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menu3. Neck
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