Which horn contains autonomic neurons?

• A. Posterior horns
• B. Lateral horns
• C. Anterior horns
• D. Dorsal root ganglion

Answer: (B)

Autonomic neurons are located in the lateral horn of the spinal cord’s gray matter. This region houses preganglionic autonomic neurons, which send signals to autonomic ganglia outside the CNS to control involuntary functions like heart rate, glandular activity, and smooth muscle. The posterior (dorsal) horns process sensory information, the anterior (ventral) horns contain somatic motor neurons that move skeletal muscles, and the dorsal root ganglion holds the cell bodies of sensory neurons. So the lateral horn is where autonomic neurons reside.