Description
The prevertebral ganglia, also known as preaortic ganglia, are clusters of sympathetic neurons located in the abdomen, ventral to the vertebrae, and in association with the aorta and its branches.
Axons from preganglionic sympathetic neurons travel to prevertebral ganglia where they synapse with postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Axons that do not synapse with these neurons may pass through the prevertebral ganglia. These include parasympathetic axons and visceral axons.
The prevertebral ganglia include the celiac ganglia, the superior mesenteric ganglia, the inferior mesenteric ganglia, the aorticorenal ganglia, and the renal ganglion. The postganglionic neurons of the celiac ganglia target the viscera and smooth muscle of the foregut and midgut regions supplied by the celiac trunk. The superior mesenteric ganglia supply sympathetic innervation to the viscera and smooth muscle supplied by the superior mesenteric artery. The neurons in the inferior mesenteric ganglia are innervated by lumbar splanchnic nerves and follow the inferior mesenteric artery to innervate viscera and smooth muscle of the hindgut. Neurons of the aorticorenal ganglia target the kidneys, ureter, and gonads. Those of the renal ganglion target vascular smooth muscle of the kidneys.
