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Which spinal cord levels give rise to sympathetic preganglionic neurons?

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Diagram of a human figure showing the full nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and branching peripheral nerves throughout the body, with labels for each part. — human nervous system The conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors in the human nervous system occurs via organized groups of specialized cells, consisting largely of neurons, various neural support cells, and tracts of nerve fibers.

Sympathetic preganglionic neurons originate in the lateral horns of the 12 thoracic segments and the first 2 or 3 lumbar segments of the spinal cord. Because these neurons emerge from these specific regions, the sympathetic nervous system is frequently referred to as the thoracolumbar outflow.12