A small lateral extensions of the central gray matter, called the intermediolateral horns [or intermediolateral cell columns or intermediolateral nucleus] which serves the autonomic nervous system. Neurons of the intermediolateral horn of the thoracic segments (actually C8 to L3), are the sympathetic preganglionic efferents. They exit the anterior (motor) root and terminate in the sympathetic ganglia. The smaller sacral intermediolateral column (S2-S4) has the spinal cord’s parasympathetic preganglionic efferents.
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