Anatomy

Preganglionic Autonomic Fibers

NERVE FIBERS which project from the central nervous system to AUTONOMIC GANGLIA. In the sympathetic division most preganglionic fibers originate with neurons in the intermediolateral column of the SPINAL CORD, exit via ventral roots from upper thoracic through lower lumbar segments, and project to the paravertebral ganglia; there they either terminate in SYNAPSES or continue through the SPLANCHNIC NERVES to the prevertebral ganglia. In the parasympathetic division the fibers originate in neurons of the BRAIN STEM and sacral spinal cord. In both divisions the principal transmitter is ACETYLCHOLINE but peptide cotransmitters may also be released.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

NERVE FIBERS which project from the central nervous system to AUTONOMIC GANGLIA. In the sympathetic division most preganglionic fibers originate with neurons in the intermediolateral column of the SPINAL CORD, exit via ventral roots from upper thoracic through lower lumbar segments, and project to the paravertebral ganglia; there they either terminate in SYNAPSES or continue through the SPLANCHNIC NERVES to the prevertebral ganglia. In the parasympathetic division the fibers originate in neurons of the BRAIN STEM and sacral spinal cord. In both divisions the principal transmitter is ACETYLCHOLINE but peptide cotransmitters may also be released.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic
  • Autonomic Fiber, Preganglionic
  • Fiber, Preganglionic Autonomic
  • Fibers, Preganglionic Autonomic
  • Preganglionic Autonomic Fiber

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

14 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with AUTONOMIC FIBERS, POSTGANGLIONIC

MeSH Record

History Note

71

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Ganglia, Autonomic (1966-1970)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A08w.675w.127w.500.060
  2. A08w.675w.542w.234.060
  3. A08w.800w.050w.050w.060
  4. A08w.800w.800w.060w.060
  5. A11w.671w.188w.500.060
  6. A11w.671w.501w.234.060

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Preganglionic Autonomic Fibers. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001339. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001339
  2. Preganglionic Autonomic Fibers. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70090366