Sympathetic level for the ovaries/testes.

Sympathetic level for the ovaries/testes.

• A. T10-11
• B. T9-11
• C. T11-L2
• D. S2-4 Pelvic Splanchnic

Answer: (B)

Sympathetic input to the ovaries and testes comes from the thoracic spinal cord levels around T9 to T11. The preganglionic neurons reside in the intermediolateral cell column at these levels; their fibers exit the cord, pass through the sympathetic chain, and synapse in prevertebral (gonadal) ganglia. Postganglionic fibers then travel along the gonadal vessels to reach the gonads. Because visceral afferents for these organs accompany the same sympathetic fibers, referred pain is perceived at the T9–T11 dermatomes over the lower abdomen and groin. Pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2–S4) carry parasympathetic fibers to pelvic organs and are not involved with gonadal innervation, and levels outside T9–T11 would not align with the typical gonadal sympathetic pathway.

Sympathetic input to the ovaries and testes comes from the thoracic spinal cord levels around T9 to T11. The preganglionic neurons reside in the intermediolateral cell column at these levels; their fibers exit the cord, pass through the sympathetic chain, and synapse in prevertebral (gonadal) ganglia. Postganglionic fibers then travel along the gonadal vessels to reach the gonads. Because visceral afferents for these organs accompany the same sympathetic fibers, referred pain is perceived at the T9–T11 dermatomes over the lower abdomen and groin. Pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2–S4) carry parasympathetic fibers to pelvic organs and are not involved with gonadal innervation, and levels outside T9–T11 would not align with the typical gonadal sympathetic pathway.