Thoracic sympathetic trunk

The thoracic sympathetic trunk is an anatomical structure consisting of 11–12 sympathetic ganglia running along each side of the thoracic vertebral column. It is continuous with the cervical sympathetic trunk superiorly and the lumbar sympathetic trunk inferiorly. The trunk allows preganglionic sympathetic fibers from the thoracic spinal cord to synapse and distribute broadly to thoracic viscera (including heart, lungs, and esophagus) and contribute to splanchnic nerves that supply abdominal organs. The trunk is involved in mediating autonomic (fight-or-flight) responses, regulating cardiac function, blood pressure, and other visceral activities, but it is not a single targetable molecule or receptor. There is no known drug that specifically "targets" the thoracic sympathetic trunk; its function may be affected by procedures such as surgical sympathectomy, which interrupts autonomic signaling for medical purposes. Damage or intentional disruption can result in clinical syndromes affecting autonomic regulation, such as Horner’s syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome.

Other names

Thoracic sympathetic chainThoracic part of sympathetic trunk

Not applicable as a drug target; interventions (e.g., block or excision) disrupt sympathetic efferent signaling to organs