Rami communicantes

FIG, 6-2 Sympathetic pathways (D, dorsal root V, ventral root DRG dorsal root ganglion S, splanchnic R, recurrent meningeal, g, gray rami communicantes W, white rami communicantes G, sympathetic trunk ganglion T, sympathetic trunk). 

The vertebral region is supplied primarily by dorsal rami, and the ventral rami form the eleven pairs of Intercostal nerves and the pair of subcostal nerves. They begin in the intercostal space and then enter the costal groove of the first through eleventh ribs at the level of the angle. The intercostals connect to the sympathetic chain via the rami communicantes. The sympathetic trunks are located anterior to the heads ol the ribs. 

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