Where do the splanchnic nerves synapse?

Where do the splanchnic nerves synapse?

• A. Paravertebral ganglia
• B. Adrenal medulla
• C. Dorsal root ganglia
• D. Prevertebral ganglia

Answer: (D)

Splanchnic nerves carry preganglionic sympathetic fibers that bypass the sympathetic chain and terminate in the prevertebral (pre-aortic) ganglia in the abdomen. In these ganglia—such as the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric—the preganglionic fibers synapse on postganglionic neurons, whose fibers then reach the abdominal viscera. This is why the correct location is prevertebral ganglia. Paravertebral ganglia lie along the sympathetic chain and mainly serve pathways to the body wall and limbs, so they aren’t the synapse site for these nerves. Dorsal root ganglia contain sensory neuron cell bodies, not autonomic synapses. The adrenal medulla is innervated by preganglionic fibers and responds by releasing catecholamines, but it isn’t a ganglion—the synaptic target there is chromaffin tissue, not a ganglionic relay.

Splanchnic nerves carry preganglionic sympathetic fibers that bypass the sympathetic chain and terminate in the prevertebral (pre-aortic) ganglia in the abdomen. In these ganglia—such as the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric—the preganglionic fibers synapse on postganglionic neurons, whose fibers then reach the abdominal viscera. This is why the correct location is prevertebral ganglia.

Paravertebral ganglia lie along the sympathetic chain and mainly serve pathways to the body wall and limbs, so they aren’t the synapse site for these nerves. Dorsal root ganglia contain sensory neuron cell bodies, not autonomic synapses. The adrenal medulla is innervated by preganglionic fibers and responds by releasing catecholamines, but it isn’t a ganglion—the synaptic target there is chromaffin tissue, not a ganglionic relay.