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AAAC53 21/5/05 10:57 AM Page 120
53 The autonomic nervous system

Visible
Sympathetic Parasympathetic Sympathetic
ganglion
Cranial
outflow
3, 7, 9, 10/11
Parasympathetic
T1
Spinal cord
Microscopic
ganglion
Fig.53.1
L2
The different lengths of the pre- and postganglionic fibres
of the autonomic nervous system.
Preganglionic fibres: red
Postganglionic fibres: green
Sacral outflow
S 2, 3, 4
Cauda
equina

Fig.53.2
The sympathetic (right) and parasympathetic
(left) outflows
Grey
Visceral ramus
branch Sympathetic trunk
C
White ramus
1
2
To blood Preganglionic fibres
vessels
Spinal B Branch to blood vessels
nerve B
Descending branch
A
Artery
A 3

Splanchnic nerve
(preganglionic)

Gut
Coeliac
Suprarenal ganglion Fig.53.3
medulla The various possible courses of the preganglionic fibres (1, 2 & 3)
and postganglionic fibres (A, B and C) of the sympathetic nervous system

120 Autonomic nervous system