The intermediolateral gray column contains which neurons?

The intermediolateral gray column contains which neurons?

• A. Postganglionic sympathetic neurons
• B. Preganglionic sympathetic neurons
• C. Parasympathetic ganglia neurons
• D. Motor neurons of skeletal muscles

Answer: (B)

Intermediolateral gray column houses the cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. In the autonomic two-neuron chain, these preganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord and send their axons out to synapse on postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic ganglia. Their cell bodies are located mainly in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments—the lateral (intermediolateral) part of the spinal gray matter. From there, the preganglionic fibers exit via the ventral roots and enter the sympathetic chain to reach their targets. Postganglionic sympathetic neurons, by contrast, sit in sympathetic ganglia outside the CNS and project to effector organs; parasympathetic preganglionic neurons are located in brainstem nuclei and the sacral spinal cord with the ganglia near or within target organs; motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles reside in the ventral horn of the spinal cord.

Intermediolateral gray column houses the cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. In the autonomic two-neuron chain, these preganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord and send their axons out to synapse on postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic ganglia. Their cell bodies are located mainly in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments—the lateral (intermediolateral) part of the spinal gray matter. From there, the preganglionic fibers exit via the ventral roots and enter the sympathetic chain to reach their targets.

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons, by contrast, sit in sympathetic ganglia outside the CNS and project to effector organs; parasympathetic preganglionic neurons are located in brainstem nuclei and the sacral spinal cord with the ganglia near or within target organs; motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles reside in the ventral horn of the spinal cord.