sympathetic trunk sympathetic trunk the sympathetic trunks (sympathetic chain, gangliated cord) are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx. they are a major component of the sympathetic nervous system. sympathetic trunkabdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac plexus and hypogastric plexus. (sympathetic trunk labeled at center left.)scheme showing pathways (white/grey rami are spatially reversed, possibly for clarity?) of a typical spinal nerve.1. somatic efferent.2. somatic afferent.3,4,5. sympathetic efferent.6,7. parasympathetic afferent.detailsidentifierslatintruncus sympathicusta98a14.3.01.002ta26602fma6258anatomical terminology structure the sympathetic trunk lies just lateral to the vertebral bodies for the entire length of the vertebral column. it interacts with the anterior rami of spinal nerves by way of rami communicantes. the sympathetic trunk permits preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system to ascend to spinal levels superior to t1 and descend to spinal levels inferior to l2/3. the superior end of it is continued upward through the carotid canal into the skull, and forms a plexus on the internal carotid artery; the inferior part travels in front of the coccyx, where it converges with the other trunk at a structure known as the ganglion impar. along the length of the sympathetic trunk are sympathetic ganglia known as paravertebral ganglia. the sympathetic trunk (yellow) can be seen just lateral to the vertebral column. function the sympathetic trunk is a fundamental part of the sympathetic nervous system, and part of the autonomic nervous system. it allows nerve fibres to travel to spinal nerves that are superior and inferior to the one in which they originated. also, a number of nerves, such as most of the splanchnic nerves, arise directly from the trunks. autonomic nervous supply to organs in the human body organnervesspinal column origin stomach ps: anterior and posterior vagal trunks s: greater splanchnic nerves t5, t6, t7, t8, t9, sometimes t10 duodenum ps: vagus nerves s: greater splanchnic nerves t5, t6, t7, t8, t9, sometimes t10 jejunum and ileum ps: posterior vagal trunks s: greater splanchnic nerves t5, t6, t7, t8, t9 spleen s: greater splanchnic nerves t6, t7, t8 gallbladder and liver ps: vagus nerve s: celiac plexus right phrenic nerve t6, t7, t8, t9 colon ps: vagus nerves and pelvic splanchnic nerves s: lesser and least splanchnic nerves t10, t11, t12 (proximal colon) l1, l2, l3, (distal colon) pancreatic head ps: vagus nerves s: thoracic splanchnic nerves t8, t9 appendix nerves to superior mesenteric plexus t10 bladder ps: pelvic splanchnic nerves to detrusor muscles s: inferior hypogastric nerves s2-s4 kidneys and ureters ps: vagus nerve s: thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves t11, t12 additional images the formation of the spinal nerve from the dorsal and ventral roots. dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. sacral plexus of the right side. diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system. sympathetic connections of the ciliary and superior cervical ganglia. sacral sympathetic