Cervical Sympathetic Trunk | Humans | Neck | Biology

In this article we will discuss about the extent and relations of cervical sympathetic trunk.

Extent of Cervical Sympathetic Trunk:

From base of skull to the neck of first rib.

Preganglionic fibres arise from upper thoracic part of spinal cord – lateral horn cells (T₁-T₅).

Relations of Cervical Sympathetic Trunk:

Anterior:

Carotid sheath with its content.

Posterior:

Prevertebral muscles and fascia.

Superiorly:

It joins the internal carotid plexus.

Inferiorly:

Joins the thoracic sympathetic trunk.

It is embedded within the fascia between carotid sheath and pre-vertebral fascia.

Ganglia:

It has three ganglia:

a. Superior cervical sympathetic ganglion

b. Middle cervical sympathetic ganglion

c. Inferior cervical sympathetic ganglion.

1. Superior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion:

Largest ganglion.

Situated below base of skull anterior to tran­sverse process of C₂ and C₃ vertebra.

2. Middle Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion:

Small ganglion

Lies at the level of C₆ vertebra.

Related to loop of inferior thyroid artery.

3. Inferior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion:

Larger than middle ganglion.

Lies in the interval between neck of 1st rib and transverse process of C₇ vertebra, may be fused with T₁ ganglion and forms stellate ganglion.

Crossed anteriorly by vertebral artery.