Thoracic pulmonary nerves

Thoracic pulmonary nerves refer to the visceral branches of the sympathetic trunks, which contribute to the pulmonary plexuses to innervate the lungs.

Pulmonary plexuses are of two types: anterior and posterior, situated anterior and posterior to the hilum (and root) of the lungs, respectively. Amongst them, the posterior pulmonary plexus provides predominant innervation to the lungs. It receives post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons, via the visceral branches of the 2nd to the 5th/6th thoracic ganglia (a.k.a. thoracic pulmonary nerves).

Please note that–unlike the posterior plexus–the anterior pulmonary plexus is an extension of cardiac plexuses and hence receives its postganglionic sympathetic neuronal supply via the cervical sympathetic cardiac nerves.

The sympathetic innervation influences the airway function by regulating the smooth muscle tone, vascular permeability, blood flow and mucous secretion from submucosal glands and surface epithelial goblet cells.