Question

Why is the sympathetic division called thoracolumbar division?

Answer 1

• Sympathetic division controls involuntary and automatic physical reactions) that responds to emergency situations by mobilizing and controlling the energy necessary to cope with the situation.

• The sympathetic nervous system can accelerate heart rate, widen bronchial passages, decrease motility of the large intestine, constrict blood vessels, increase peristalsis in the esophagus, cause pupillary dilation, piloerection (goose bumps) and perspiration (sweating), and raise blood pressure.
• The sympathetic division is also called the thoracolumbar division because the preganglionic neurons are located along the spinal cord from segments T1 to L 2, basically in the middle section of the length of the spinal cord.