What does the intermediolateral cell column contain?

What does the intermediolateral cell column contain?

• A. Axons that synapse in the dorsal horn
• B. Dorsal root ganglion neurons
• C. Axons conveying somatic motor commands to limb muscles
• D. Axons that connect preganglionic autonomic neuronal cell bodies within the spinal cord and a visceral root

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that the intermediolateral cell column houses the cell bodies of preganglionic autonomic neurons, specifically sympathetic ones, located in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spinal cord. These neurons give rise to preganglionic autonomic axons that exit the spinal cord via the ventral root and travel to autonomic ganglia, such as the sympathetic chain, to connect with postganglionic neurons. In other words, the column contains the cell bodies that generate the fibers which link the spinal cord to visceral targets through visceral (autonomic) pathways. The other options describe structures or neurons that reside in different parts of the spinal cord—sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons, somatic motor neurons in the ventral horn, or synapses in the dorsal horn—so they don’t reflect what the intermediolateral column contains.

The main idea is that the intermediolateral cell column houses the cell bodies of preganglionic autonomic neurons, specifically sympathetic ones, located in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spinal cord. These neurons give rise to preganglionic autonomic axons that exit the spinal cord via the ventral root and travel to autonomic ganglia, such as the sympathetic chain, to connect with postganglionic neurons. In other words, the column contains the cell bodies that generate the fibers which link the spinal cord to visceral targets through visceral (autonomic) pathways. The other options describe structures or neurons that reside in different parts of the spinal cord—sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons, somatic motor neurons in the ventral horn, or synapses in the dorsal horn—so they don’t reflect what the intermediolateral column contains.