inferior cervical ganglion
{{Infobox nerve
| Name = Inferior cervical ganglion
| Latin = ganglion cervicale inferius
| Image = Gray844.png
| Caption = Diagram of the cervical sympathetic. ("Lower cervical ganglion" labeled at bottom right.)
| Image2 = Gray845.png
| Caption2 = Plan of right sympathetic cord and splanchnic nerves. (Inferior cervical ganglion labeled at upper right.)
| Innervates = Thyroid
| BranchFrom =
| BranchTo =
}}
The inferior cervical ganglion is one of the three cervical sympathetic ganglia (i.e. of the cervical portion of the sympathetic trunk).{{Cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1201341621 |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7020-7707-4 |edition=42th |location=New York |pages=600–601 |oclc=1201341621}} It is situated between the base of the transverse process of the last cervical vertebra and the neck of the first rib, on the medial side of the costocervical artery.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
It is often united with the first (and sometimes the second{{Cite web |title=inferior cervical ganglion - Dictionnaire médical de l'Académie de Médecine |url=https://www.academie-medecine.fr/le-dictionnaire/index.php?q=inferior+cervical+ganglion |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=www.academie-medecine.fr}}) thoracic ganglion to form the cervicothoracic ganglion (stellate ganglion).{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy S. |title=Last's Anatomy |publisher= Elsevier Australia|year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=346}}
Anatomy
The inferior cervical ganglion is irregularly shaped. It is substantially larger than the middle cervical ganglion (but smaller than the superior cervical ganglion). As the sympathetic trunk curves posteriorly between the neck and thorax, this ganglion is oriented in a nearly anteroposterior axis.
The ganglion is presumed to represent the union of the cervical segmental sympathetic ganglia C7-C8 and the thoracic segmental sympathetic ganglia T1, but sometimes up to T4 as well - the T1 ganglion may or may not be separate to leave a distinct inferior cervical ganglion. The gray rami communicantes of the inferior cervical ganglion join the cervical nerves C7-C8.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
= Relations =
The ganglion is situated posterior to the commencement of the vertebral artery.
== Communicating cords ==
The inferior cervical ganglion and middle cervical ganglion are connected by two (an anterior one and a posterior one) or more highly variable cords. The posterior cord typically splits to surround the vertebral artery; the anterior cord loops around the subclavian artery, forming the ansa subclavia.
= Branches =
The inferior cervical ganglion gives off two branches:{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
- The Inferior cardiac nerve
- offsets to blood vessels form plexuses on the subclavian artery and its branches. The plexus on the vertebral artery is continued on to the basilar, posterior cerebral, and cerebellar arteries. The plexus on the inferior thyroid artery accompanies the artery to the thyroid gland, and communicates with the recurrent and external laryngeal nerves, with the superior cardiac nerve, and with the plexus on the common carotid artery.
=Development=
It is probably formed by the coalescence of two ganglia which correspond to the seventh and eighth cervical nerves.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Additional images
File:Gray838.png|The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses.
See also
{{Anatomy-terms}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|31|07|02|00}} - "The Sympathetic Trunk and Cervical Ganglia"
{{Autonomic}}
{{Authority control}}