Preganglionic nerve fibers

Preganglionic nerve fibers are a type of nerve fiber that originate in the central nervous system and extend to a ganglion. They are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Anatomy

Preganglionic nerve fibers are myelinated, meaning they are covered in a fatty substance called myelin that helps speed up the transmission of nerve signals. They originate in the brain or spinal cord and extend to a ganglion, where they synapse with postganglionic nerve fibers.

Function

The primary function of preganglionic nerve fibers is to transmit signals from the central nervous system to the ganglion. From there, the signal is carried on by postganglionic nerve fibers to the target organ or tissue. This allows the autonomic nervous system to regulate involuntary body functions.

Clinical significance

Damage to preganglionic nerve fibers can result in a variety of symptoms, depending on the specific body function that is affected. For example, damage to fibers that regulate heart rate can result in arrhythmia, while damage to fibers that control digestion can lead to gastrointestinal disorders.

See also

• Nerve fiber
• Autonomic nervous system
• Postganglionic nerve fibers

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