Question

Why are sympathetic ganglia near the spinal cord while parasympathetic ganglia are near the target organ? I'm trying to reason this out so I can memorize less. If there's no explanation, is there a mnemonic that you use?

Answer 1

Sympathetic ganglia: Sympathetic nervous system is known to react during adjustments of the body whether it is localized like sweating or temperature control to the cardiac output during flight or fight conditions. The sympathetic ganglia have numerous nerve cells (approximately 20- 30 thousand) to react for immediate responses. Response of all reflex actions are taken care by them. Hence, the sympathetic ganglia are located next to the lateral and ventral side of spinal cord to quickly pass the message to target organ.

Parasympathetic ganglia: Parasympathetic nervous system is known for modulating visceral organs.The ganglia is known by its name called intramural or small terminal ganglia due to its location near the target organ. It has no function during any kind of flight- fight situations. They have small fibres and hence, location near target area.

Note; In general, to remember sympathetic is related to stress or flight- fight responses which are associated with spinal cord. Parasympathetic takes control of all the visceral organs and has the command from Central nervous system directly.