Where are sympathetic ganglia typically located?

Where are sympathetic ganglia typically located?

• A. Within the brainstem.
• B. Near the spinal cord (paravertebral).
• C. In the cerebral cortex.
• D. In the dorsal root ganglia.

Answer: (B)

Sympathetic ganglia are organized along a chain that runs beside the vertebral column—the sympathetic trunk. This places the cell bodies of many postganglionic neurons right next to the spinal cord. Preganglionic neurons originate in the intermediolateral cell column of thoracic and upper lumbar segments; their axons exit via ventral roots, join the white rami, enter the sympathetic ganglia, and synapse on postganglionic neurons. From there, postganglionic fibers reach target organs through gray rami or by tying into prevertebral (preaortic) pathways to abdominal viscera. While some abdominal ganglia lie farther away, the classic and most typical location of sympathetic ganglia is paravertebral, near the spinal cord.

Sympathetic ganglia are organized along a chain that runs beside the vertebral column—the sympathetic trunk. This places the cell bodies of many postganglionic neurons right next to the spinal cord. Preganglionic neurons originate in the intermediolateral cell column of thoracic and upper lumbar segments; their axons exit via ventral roots, join the white rami, enter the sympathetic ganglia, and synapse on postganglionic neurons. From there, postganglionic fibers reach target organs through gray rami or by tying into prevertebral (preaortic) pathways to abdominal viscera. While some abdominal ganglia lie farther away, the classic and most typical location of sympathetic ganglia is paravertebral, near the spinal cord.