Middle cervical ganglion
The middle cervical ganglion is the smallest of the three cervical sympathetic ganglia (i.e. of the cervical portion of the sympathetic trunk).[1] It presumably represents the merging of the sympathetic ganglia of cervical segments C5-C6. It is usually situated at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra.
Middle cervical ganglion | |
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![]() Diagram of the cervical sympathetic. ("Middle cervical ganglion" labeled at center right.) | |
Details | |
From | middle cardiac nerve |
Innervates | thyroid |
Identifiers | |
Latin | ganglion cervicale medium |
TA98 | A14.3.01.016 |
TA2 | 6609 |
FMA | 6468 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
Anatomy
The middle cervical ganglion is presumed to represent the union of the two sympathetic ganglia corresponding to cervical segments C5-C6 since its gray rami communicantes usually join the cervical spinal nerves C5-C6, however, the ganglion sometimes also contributes gray rami communicantes to spinal nerves C4 and C7.[1]
Relations
The ganglion is usually situated at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra,[1] lying medial to its carotid tubercle.[2] It is situated either[1] anterior[1][2] or superior to the inferior thyroid artery. It may adjoin the inferior cervical ganglion.[1]
Branches
- Gray rami communicantes - join the anterior rami of the cervical nerves C5-C6, sometimes also C4 and C7.[1]
- Thyroid branches - pass alongside the inferior thyroid artery to the thyroid gland.[1]
- Middle cardiac nerve - descends through the neck to reach the cardiac plexus in the thorax.[1]
Variation
It is sometimes absent,[1][2] having either fused with the superior cervical ganglion or become replaced by small ganglia within the sympathetic trunk.[1]
See also
References
- Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. pp. 600–601. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
External links
- thoraxlesson4 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (thoraxautonomicner)
- Anatomy photo:31:07-0202 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Sympathetic Trunk and Cervical Ganglia"
- Clinical Anatomy by Richard S. Snell seventh edition page 744