Expansion
Greater T5 to T9, lesser T10 to T11, least T12
Expansion
Count downwards in shrinking blocks, five, two, one:
- Greater splanchnic nerve - T5 to T9, to the coeliac ganglion
- Lesser splanchnic nerve - T10 to T11, to the aorticorenal ganglion
- Least splanchnic nerve - T12, to the renal plexus
These nerves pierce the crura of the diaphragm to reach the abdomen. They also carry visceral afferents, which is the anatomical basis for foregut and midgut pain being referred to the epigastrium and periumbilical region.