The preganglionic sympathetic fibres destined for the adrenal medulla arise from which spinal cord segments and travel via which nerve?

• A T1–T4 via the cardiac splanchnic nerves
• B T10–T11 via the lesser splanchnic nerve
• C T12–L2 via the lumbar splanchnic nerves
• D T5–T9 via the greater splanchnic nerve ✓

Explanation

The greater splanchnic nerve arises from preganglionic sympathetic fibres from T5–T9 (some sources extend to T5–T10) and passes through the diaphragm to supply the coeliac ganglia and, crucially, the adrenal medulla directly — without synapsing in any ganglion, since the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla are modified postganglionic neurones. The lesser splanchnic nerve (T10–T11) supplies the aorticorenal ganglia. Lumbar splanchnics supply pelvic structures.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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