The preganglionic cells for sympathetic innervation reside in which portion of the spinal cord?

The preganglionic cells for sympathetic innervation reside in which portion of the spinal cord?

• A. Dorsal horn
• B. Ventral horn
• C. Intermediate horn
• D. Substantia gelatinosa

Answer: (C)

The main idea is where sympathetic preganglionic neurons sit in the spinal cord. These cells form the intermediolateral cell column, a lateral region of gray matter in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments (roughly T1–L2). That area sits between the dorsal (sensory) and ventral (motor) horns, so it’s often described as the intermediate or lateral horn. From this locale, the preganglionic sympathetic fibers exit to join the sympathetic trunks and innervate their targets. In contrast, the dorsal horn processes sensory information, the ventral horn houses motor neurons for skeletal muscles, and the substantia gelatinosa is a part of the dorsal horn involved in pain modulation. So the intermediolateral/lateral horn is the correct location for sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

The main idea is where sympathetic preganglionic neurons sit in the spinal cord. These cells form the intermediolateral cell column, a lateral region of gray matter in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments (roughly T1–L2). That area sits between the dorsal (sensory) and ventral (motor) horns, so it’s often described as the intermediate or lateral horn. From this locale, the preganglionic sympathetic fibers exit to join the sympathetic trunks and innervate their targets.

In contrast, the dorsal horn processes sensory information, the ventral horn houses motor neurons for skeletal muscles, and the substantia gelatinosa is a part of the dorsal horn involved in pain modulation. So the intermediolateral/lateral horn is the correct location for sympathetic preganglionic neurons.