Spinal levels giving rise to the greater splanchnic nerve are:

• A. T1-T4
• B. T5-T9
• C. T10-T11
• D. T12-L1

Answer: (B)

The greater splanchnic nerve carries preganglionic sympathetic fibers from thoracic spinal levels T5 through T9. These fibers start in the lateral horn of the spinal cord, exit with the ventral roots, enter the sympathetic chain via white rami, and then pass out as thoracic splanchnic nerves. They traverse the diaphragm (through the crura) to reach the prevertebral ganglia in the abdomen, most commonly synapsing in the celiac ganglion. From there, postganglionic fibers go to foregut organs like the stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, and proximal duodenum. The lesser and least splanchnic nerves arise from lower levels (T10–T11 and T12–L1, respectively), which is why the greater splanchnic nerve is associated with the T5–T9 range.