Gray Communicating Branch of Spinal Nerve (Lumbar; Right)
Ramus communicans griseus nervi spinalis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Sympathetic chain ganglia.
Course: Posteriorly to the adjacent spinal nerve.
Branches: No branches.
Supply: Postganglionic sympathetic innervation to the body structures of the appropriate level.
Origin
The gray communicating branches of spinal nerves, or gray rami communicantes, are short axonal fasciculations that originate at each of the ganglia of the sympathetic trunk.
Course
The gray communicating branches run a short distance from the ganglia of the sympathetic trunk, posteriorly, to join the spinal nerve of the same level.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures & Function
Each gray communicating branch carries postganglionic sympathetic fibers that will innervate the targets of sympathetic innervation specific to that level of the body. Targets include blood vessels, sweat glands, and arrector pili muscles. Sympathetic innervation of visceral organs generally follows splanchnic nerves rather than gray rami.
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Spinal Nerve
A spinal nerve is comprised by a ventral root that originates from the cord's anterolateral aspect and a dorsal root from the posterolateral aspect, both of which are continuous with the spinal cord.
