Cervical ganglia

• Three Cervical ganglia of the [[sym
  • Superior cervical ganglia
  • Middle cervical ganglia
  • Inferior cervical ganglia

• Supply Sympathetic Nervous System to the head and neck

• Anatomy
  • Pre-ganglionic feibres
    • Originate form T1-6
  • Peripheral ganglia
    • the three cervical ganlfia
  • Post ganglionic fibres
    • Hitch hike along arteries and their branches

Superior Cervical Ganglion

The superior cervical ganglion is located posteriorly to the carotid artery, and anterior to the C1-4 vertebrae. Several important post-ganglionic nerves originate from here:

• Internal carotid nerve – hitch-hikes along the internal carotid artery, forming a network of nerves. Branches from the internal carotid plexus innervate structures in the eye, the pterygopalatine artery and the internal carotid artery itself.
• External carotid nerve – hitch-hikes along the common and external carotid arteries, forming a network of nerves. It innervates the smooth muscle of the arteries.
• Nerve to pharyngeal plexus – combines with branches from the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves to form the pharyngeal plexus.
• Superior cardiac branch – contributes to the cardiac plexus in the thorax.
• Nerves to cranial nerves II, III IV, VI and IX.
• Gray rami communicantes – distributes sympathetic fibres to the anterior rami of C1-C4

Middle Cervical Ganglion

The middle cervical ganglion is absent in some individuals. When present, it is located anteriorly to the inferior thyroid artery and the C6 vertebra. Its postganglionic fibres are:

• Gray rami communicantes – distributes sympathetic fibres to the anterior rami of C5 and C6.
• Thyroid branches – travel along the inferior thyroid artery, distributing fibres to the larynx, trachea, pharynx and upper oesophagus.
• Middle cardiac branch – contributes to the cardiac plexus in the thorax.

Inferior Cervical Ganglion

The inferior cervical ganglion is situated anteriorly to the C7 vertebra. It is occasionally fused with the first thoracic ganglion (to form the Stellate ganglion), forming the cervicothoracic ganglion. There are three post-ganglionic fibres that arise from this structure:

• Gray rami communicantes – distributes sympathetic fibres to the anterior rami of C7, C8 and T1.
• Branches to the subclavian and vertebral arteries – These innervate the smooth muscle present in the arteries.
• Inferior cardiac nerve – contributes to the cardiac plexus in the thorax.