Sympathetic level for the uterus/cervix.

Sympathetic level for the uterus/cervix.

• A. T10-11
• B. T9-11
• C. T10-L2
• D. T11-L2

Answer: (C)

Sympathetic innervation of pelvic organs like the uterus and cervix arises from spinal cord neurons in the thoracolumbar region, roughly from T10 through L2. Preganglionic fibers exit at these levels, travel through the sympathetic chain, and synapse in pelvic plexuses (the uterovaginal/hypogastric plexuses) to reach the uterus and cervix with postganglionic fibers. Because the supply spans both upper (T10) and lower (L2) ends of that range, the full extent is best described as T10 to L2. Narrower ranges miss part of the distribution. Clinically, that explains referred pain patterns from the uterus that map to the T10–L2 dermatomes.

Sympathetic innervation of pelvic organs like the uterus and cervix arises from spinal cord neurons in the thoracolumbar region, roughly from T10 through L2. Preganglionic fibers exit at these levels, travel through the sympathetic chain, and synapse in pelvic plexuses (the uterovaginal/hypogastric plexuses) to reach the uterus and cervix with postganglionic fibers. Because the supply spans both upper (T10) and lower (L2) ends of that range, the full extent is best described as T10 to L2. Narrower ranges miss part of the distribution. Clinically, that explains referred pain patterns from the uterus that map to the T10–L2 dermatomes.