The stellate ganglion (plural: ganglia), also known as the cervicothoracic ganglion, is formed by the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia and is located just anterior to the head of the first rib. It receives input from the paravertebral sympathetic chain and provides sympathetic efferents to the upper limbs, head, neck and heart 1. It is present in 80% of people. 2
Gross anatomy The stellate ganglion is a long, flat structure ~1 cm in length. It is closely related to the apex of the lung and the phrenic nerve.
Relations The relations of the ganglion are as follows 1:
anteriorly: vertebral vessels
posteriorly: 1st rib and the transverse process of C7
medially: longus colli muscle lined by the prevertebral fascia
laterally: superior intercostal artery
Variant anatomy The stellate ganglion as a fusion of the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia only exists in 80% of individuals 2.
Occasionally the combination of the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia can also include the second thoracic ganglion