ON THE ANATOMICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SYMPATHETIC CHAIN AND THE LUMBAR SPLANCHNIC NERVES OF THE CAT - LANGLEY REVISITED

The anatomy of the sympathetic nervous pathways from the spinal cord to the lumbosacral spinal nerves and to the inferior mesenteric ganglion was studied systematically in a series of 37 cats. Details of the arrangements of white and grey rami communicantes and the lumbar splanchnic nerves are summarized, and similarities and differences between individuals noted. The desciption largely follows that of Langley but differs in many ways from those of Harris and Pick. An alternative nomenclature for the segmental ganglia of the paravertebral sympathetic chain is defined, and its rationale presented.