Greater splanchnic nerve (sympathetic nervous system signaling)

The **greater splanchnic nerve** is a major sympathetic nerve arising from the medial branches of the fifth to ninth thoracic sympathetic ganglia. It carries preganglionic sympathetic fibers that pass through the diaphragm and terminate primarily in the celiac ganglion, where they synapse with postganglionic neurons. These postganglionic fibers then innervate foregut organs such as the liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen, and upper duodenum. The greater splanchnic nerve also sends some fibers directly to the adrenal medulla to stimulate catecholamine release. Its main function is to regulate autonomic control over abdominal visceral functions including blood flow distribution and modulation of digestive activity[1][3][5][7]. **Note:** This entry describes a *nerve*—a bundle of axons mediating signaling—not a molecular therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or ion channel. Therefore: - **is_target:** false — The greater splanchnic nerve itself is not considered a druggable molecular target. - **is_incorrect:** true — "Sympathetic nervous system signaling via greater splanchnic nerve" refers to an anatomical/physiological pathway rather than an individual molecule/receptor suitable for structured drug-target databases. If you are seeking information on specific molecular targets within this pathway (e.g., adrenergic receptors), those should be specified individually by their canonical names.

Other names

Greater thoracic splanchnic nerveThoracic splanchnic nerve (when referring specifically to the greater branch)