Oculosympathetic pathway
A 3 body problem 3 neuron pathway
first order neuron
- START in the posterior hypothalamus
- GOES TO intermediolateral gray column of the spinal cord
- SYNAPSES at the ciliospinal center of Budge at spinal levels C8 to T2.
preganglionic second-order neuron
- START in the intermediolateral grey column
- leaves with ventral spinal roots
- joins the paravertebral cervical sympathetic chain
- SYNAPSES at superior cervical ganglion
postganglionic third-order neuron
- START in superior cervical ganglion
- enters cranium along internal carotid artery
- JOINS the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1) within the cavernous sinus
- SYNAPSES at ciliary muscle and pupillary dilator muscle via the nasociliary nerve and the long ciliary nerves