Comparison of somatic and autonomic nerves Preganglionic neuron Ganglionic Dorsal root neuron (cell body) Preganglionic axon Smooth muscle or glands in visceral Postganglionic axon organ (e.g.. Autonomic intestine) ganglion -Ventral root Somatic motor neuron Skeletal CNS muscle (spinal cord) Somatic Autonomic Anatomy:Cell bodies of motor neurons Anatomy:Two motor neurons: reside in CNS(brain or spinal cord), 1st preganglionic neuron(in brain or cord) Their axons(sheathed in spinal nerves) 2nd ganglionic neuron(cell body in ganglion extend to their skeletal muscles outside CNS)Comparison of somatic and autonomic nerves Anatomy: Two motor neurons: 1 st = preganglionic neuron (in brain or cord) 2 nd = ganglionic neuron (cell body in ganglion outside CNS) Anatomy: Cell bodies of motor neurons reside in CNS (brain or spinal cord), Their axons (sheathed in spinal nerves) extend to their skeletal muscles Somatic Autonomic 7