splanchnic nerve
Noun: - A nerve of the sympathetic nervous system innervating internal organs: A splanchnic nerve is any of several major nerves that originate from the sympathetic trunk in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. These nerves carry autonomic (involuntary) motor and sensory fibers, primarily sympathetic, to the visceral organs (viscera) and blood vessels within the abdominal cavity.
The term is used specifically in anatomical, medical, and physiological contexts to describe these particular autonomic nerve pathways. - The greater splanchnic nerve transmits pain signals from the abdominal organs. - During the surgery, the surgeon carefully avoided damaging the splanchnic nerves. - Sympathetic input to the digestive system is conveyed via the splanchnic nerves.
- Clinical significance: Splanchnic nerves are often discussed in relation to visceral pain, surgical procedures (like splanchnicectomy for pain relief), and the autonomic regulation of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular function.
- A splanchnic nerve block can be used to diagnose or treat chronic abdominal pain.
- Greater splanchnic nerve: A specific, large splanchnic nerve arising from the fifth to ninth thoracic ganglia.
- Lesser splanchnic nerve: A splanchnic nerve arising from the ninth and tenth thoracic ganglia.
- Least (or lowest) splanchnic nerve: A splanchnic nerve arising from the twelfth thoracic ganglion.
- Lumbar splanchnic nerves: Nerves arising from the lumbar part of the sympathetic trunk.
- Splanchnicectomy (n): The surgical cutting of a splanchnic nerve.
- Visceral nerve: A more general term for nerves supplying the internal organs, which can include parasympathetic and sensory fibers as well.
- Autonomic nerve: A broad category encompassing both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves controlling involuntary functions.
- Sympathetic trunk / chain: The paired bundles of nerve fibers and ganglia from which the splanchnic nerves arise.
- Prevertebral ganglia: Collections of nerve cell bodies (e.g., celiac, superior mesenteric ganglia) where splanchnic nerve fibers often synapse before reaching their target organs.
- Visceral afferent / efferent: Refers to the sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) nerve fibers running within the splanchnic nerves.
- any of several nerves of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system that innervate viscera and blood vessels