Which structure contains sympathetic preganglionic neurons?

Which structure contains sympathetic preganglionic neurons?

• A. Dorsal horn
• B. Lateral horn
• C. Dorsal median sulcus
• D. Ventral horn

Answer: (B)

Sympathetic preganglionic neurons sit in the lateral horn of the spinal cord gray matter, in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions. This area, the intermediolateral cell column, houses the cell bodies that send out preganglionic fibers to join the sympathetic trunk and synchronize autonomic responses. The other regions have different roles: the dorsal horn contains sensory and interneurons, the dorsal median sulcus is just a surface groove, and the ventral horn contains motor neurons that control skeletal muscles.

Sympathetic preganglionic neurons sit in the lateral horn of the spinal cord gray matter, in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions. This area, the intermediolateral cell column, houses the cell bodies that send out preganglionic fibers to join the sympathetic trunk and synchronize autonomic responses. The other regions have different roles: the dorsal horn contains sensory and interneurons, the dorsal median sulcus is just a surface groove, and the ventral horn contains motor neurons that control skeletal muscles.