Final answer:
The communicating branches from the lateral series include the white and gray rami communicantes, which connect to the sympathetic chain ganglia, as well as collateral branches from the corticospinal pathway influencing motor control through connections with structures like the pons and cerebellum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The communicating branches from the lateral series refer to the white rami communicantes, gray rami communicantes as well as collateral branches of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system and the corticospinal pathway. The white and gray rami communicantes are associated with the lateral horn of the spinal cord and the sympathetic chain ganglia. They carry myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, respectively, connecting the spinal nerves to the sympathetic trunk. Collateral branches also emerge from the corticospinal tracts, providing motor commands from the cerebral hemispheres and synapsing in structures like the pons and contributing to motor control via pathways like the middle cerebellar peduncles.
Within the nervous system, the lateral horn, as part of the spinal cord's gray matter, plays a central role in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. The significance of these pathways lies in their control over various body functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, as well as their involvement in motor control. These communicating branches are integral to the coordination and execution of autonomic and voluntary movements.