Sympathetic trunk

The sympathetic trunk (sympathetic chain, gangliated cord) is a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx. It is a major component of the sympathetic nervous system.

The sympathetic trunk lies just lateral to the vertebral bodies for the entire length of the vertebral column. It interacts with the anterior rami of spinal nerves by way of rami communicantes. The sympathetic trunk permits preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system to ascend to spinal levels superior to T1 and descend to spinal levels inferior to L2/3.

The superior end of it is continued upward through the carotid canal into the skull, and forms a plexus on the internal carotid artery; the inferior part travels in front of the coccyx, where it converges with the other trunk at a structure known as the ganglion impar.

Along the length of the sympathetic trunk are sympathetic ganglia known as paravertebral ganglia.

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  The sympathetic trunk (yellow) can be seen just lateral to the vertebral column.

In the cervical region, the sympathetic trunk is situated upon the prevertebral fascia posterior to the carotid sheath.

The sympathetic trunk is a fundamental part of the sympathetic nervous system, and part of the autonomic nervous system. It allows nerve fibres to travel to spinal nerves that are superior and inferior to the one in which they originated. Also, a number of nerves, such as most of the splanchnic nerves, arise directly from the trunks.

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  The formation of the spinal nerve from the dorsal and ventral roots.
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  Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
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  Sacral plexus of the right side.
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  Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system.
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  Sympathetic connections of the ciliary and superior cervical ganglia.
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  Sacral sympathetic

• Horner's syndrome

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 976 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

• Anatomy figure: 21:04-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The position of the right and left vagus nerves, and sympathetic trunks in the mediastinum."
• Anatomy photo:43:15-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Female Pelvis: The Posterolateral Pelvic Wall"
• Atlas image: n3a6p1 at the University of Michigan Health System - "Autonomic Connections of the Spinal Cord"
• Diagram at umm.edu