Biomaterial Database

The cervical sympathetic trunk--a new hypothesis. 1994

R Kanagasuntheram, and P Dharshini

National University of Singapore.

There is a sympathetic ganglion, in relation to most if not all thoracic and lumbar segments whereas there are only 3 or 4 sympathetic ganglia in the cervical region. Thus it may be inferred that sympathetic ganglia are not directly related to spinal nerves. Therefore, the hypothesis is put forward that sympathetic ganglia are associated chiefly with intersegmental vessels such as the intercostal and lumbar arteries and that the differences seen in the neck region are due to the disappearance of most of the cervical intersegmental arteries and the subsequent modifications that follow during development. This results in the fusion of the upper 4 cervical ganglia to form the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion in relation to the developing external carotid artery which seems to provide the necessary inductive stimulus. Furthermore, the antero-inferior migration of the heart, its corresponding arch arteries and the dorsal aorta bring about the formation of the ansa subclavia around the subclavian artery and the positioning of the stellate ganglion behind the vertebral artery.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009432	Neural Crest	The two longitudinal ridges along the PRIMITIVE STREAK appearing near the end of GASTRULATION during development of nervous system (NEURULATION). The ridges are formed by folding of NEURAL PLATE. Between the ridges is a neural groove which deepens as the fold become elevated. When the folds meet at midline, the groove becomes a closed tube, the NEURAL TUBE.	Neural Crest Cells,Neural Fold,Neural Groove,Cell, Neural Crest,Cells, Neural Crest,Crest, Neural,Crests, Neural,Fold, Neural,Folds, Neural,Groove, Neural,Grooves, Neural,Neural Crest Cell,Neural Crests,Neural Folds,Neural Grooves
D002342	Carotid Artery, External	Branch of the common carotid artery which supplies the exterior of the head, the face, and the greater part of the neck.	Arteries, External Carotid,Artery, External Carotid,Carotid Arteries, External,External Carotid Arteries,External Carotid Artery
D002572	Cervical Plexus	A network of nerve fibers originating in the upper four CERVICAL SPINAL CORD segments. The cervical plexus distributes cutaneous nerves to parts of the neck, shoulders, and back of the head. It also distributes motor fibers to muscles of the cervical SPINAL COLUMN, infrahyoid muscles, and the DIAPHRAGM.	Plexus, Cervical
D005728	Ganglia, Sympathetic	Ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system including the paravertebral and the prevertebral ganglia. Among these are the sympathetic chain ganglia, the superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglia, and the aorticorenal, celiac, and stellate ganglia.	Celiac Ganglia,Sympathetic Ganglia,Celiac Ganglion,Ganglion, Sympathetic,Ganglia, Celiac,Ganglion, Celiac,Sympathetic Ganglion
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001011	Aorta	The main trunk of the systemic arteries.	Aortas
D013233	Stellate Ganglion	A paravertebral sympathetic ganglion formed by the fusion of the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia.	Cervicothoracic Ganglion,Cervicothoracic Ganglia,Stellate Ganglia,Ganglia, Cervicothoracic,Ganglia, Stellate,Ganglias, Stellate,Ganglion, Cervicothoracic,Ganglion, Stellate,Stellate Ganglias
D013348	Subclavian Artery	Artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right side and from the arch of the aorta on the left side. It distributes to the neck, thoracic wall, spinal cord, brain, meninges, and upper limb.	Arteries, Subclavian,Artery, Subclavian,Subclavian Arteries