The lateral grey column is primarily involved with activity in the sympathetic division of the autonomic motor system.

It projects to the side as a triangular field in the thoracic and upper lumbar[1] regions (specifically T1-L2) of the postero-lateral part of the anterior grey column.

The lateral grey column is composed of sympathetic preganglionic visceral motor neurons which are part of the autonomic nervous system.

[9] Perspiration increases in certain areas of the body (the purpose of this is not yet fully understood, but there is some evidence that the odor produced by this sweat serves as a signal to other individuals).

[10] The lateral grey column plays an important role in the sympathetic division of the visceral (autonomic) motor system.

[1] Some fibers, such as those in the cardiac nerves that innervate the heart, reach the target organ directly, without first joining a gray ramus communicans.

[5] In addition, some thoracic fibers in the splanchnic nerves innervate the adrenal medulla, a ganglion in the abdomen that mediates the sympathetic response to stress.

[1] The lateral grey column receives input signals from preganglionic, myelinated fibers from viscera (internal organs), which course through prevertebral ganglia (between the visceral organ and the sympathetic chain) and paravertebral ganglia (in the sympathetic chain), white rami communicantes, and dorsal roots to synapse on cells of the intermediolateral cell column in the lateral horn.

[4] Lateral grey column nerve cells also receive signals from the brainstem and from neurons in the hypothalamus, a brain area involved in mediating many physiological functions and emotional states.

[12] Horner's syndrome is characterized by small pupils, sunken eyes, partially drooping eyelid, and dryness of the skin on the face.

[13] A study estimated the number of nerve cells in the lateral grey columns of 21 people with progressive autonomic failure in comparison with a control group.

This same study found that an average of 75 percent of the lateral column cells were lost in people with progressive autonomic failure.

[15] A study did a comparison with the lateral grey column nerve cell count between 15 cases of patients with MSA and a control group.

[17] The disease is characterized by the degeneration of both the lateral and posterior columns, which results in symptoms such as a spastic ataxic gait and paranoia.