T11 spinal cord segment

At a glance

Level system

T11 segment (spinal cord level)

Lies opposite

T9 to T10 (vertebral levels)Model mapping; varies between people. Frostell et al. 2016; De Leener et al. 2018; Cadotte et al. 2014

Length along the cord

17.9 mmMeasured on one model: the Visible Human male, imaged as a supine cadaver. Not a normal range. De Leener et al. 2018; Frostell et al. 2016

Its nerve

The T11 nerve exits between the T11 vertebra and the T12 vertebra, below the T11 vertebra.Betts et al. 2022, §13.4

ISNCSCI key sensory point

Midclavicular line, midway between T10 and T12Rupp et al. 2021; Kirshblum et al. 2011

What the sources say

“The lateral horn , which is only found in the thoracic, upper lumbar, and sacral regions, contains cell bodies of motor neurons of the autonomic nervous system.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.2

“The posterior horn is responsible for sensory processing.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.2

“The anterior horn sends out motor signals to the skeletal muscles.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.2

Connections to the rest of the body

• Spinal nerves and plexuses

  Intercostal nerves run between the ribs

  Thoracic nerves T2 to T11 do not join a plexus: each runs around the chest wall between two ribs.

  Betts et al. 2022, §13.4 · Show on the body

• Key sensory points (ISNCSCI)

  Key sensory points: one patch of skin per segment

  The examination tests light touch and pinprick at one key point per segment on each side, from C2 behind the ear to S4–5 beside the anus. The points here were placed on this body by following the standard’s written descriptions from bony landmarks, so they are approximate.

  Rupp et al. 2021; Kirshblum et al. 2011 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Sympathetic outflow: thoracic and upper lumbar cord

  Every sympathetic signal to the body leaves the cord between T1 and L2, from neurons in the lateral horn, and passes through the chain of ganglia beside the vertebral column.

  Wulf and Tom 2023; Betts et al. 2022, §15.1 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Spleen: sympathetic from T4–T12

  Sympathetic neurons for the spleen sit in the lateral horn of segments T4 to T12. A spinal cord injury above these segments cuts them off from the brain's control, though they still work as part of spinal reflexes.

  Wulf and Tom 2023 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Pancreas: sympathetic from T6–L2

  Sympathetic neurons for the pancreas sit in the lateral horn of segments T6 to L2. A spinal cord injury above these segments cuts them off from the brain's control, though they still work as part of spinal reflexes.

  Wulf and Tom 2023 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Liver: sympathetic from T7–T12

  Sympathetic neurons for the liver sit in the lateral horn of segments T7 to T12. A spinal cord injury above these segments cuts them off from the brain's control, though they still work as part of spinal reflexes.

  Wulf and Tom 2023 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Kidneys: sympathetic from T11–L1

  Sympathetic neurons for the kidneys sit in the lateral horn of segments T11 to L1. A spinal cord injury above these segments cuts them off from the brain's control, though they still work as part of spinal reflexes.

  Wulf and Tom 2023 · Show on the body

• Sympathetic outflow

  Bladder and urethra: sympathetic from T11–L2

  Sympathetic neurons for the bladder and urethra sit in the lateral horn of segments T11 to L2. A spinal cord injury above these segments cuts them off from the brain's control, though they still work as part of spinal reflexes.

  Wulf and Tom 2023 · Show on the body