What does the cervical ganglion do?

The superior cervical ganglion gives rise to the carotid plexus whose fibres run with the carotid arteries and provide sympathetic innervation to the head. This includes supplying the dilator muscles of the iris, lacrimal glands, salivary glands, levator palpebrae, erector pili muscles and small blood vessels.

Where are the cervical ganglia?

The ganglion is found on the posterior surface of the subclavian artery and often surrounds the vertebral artery. From the superior cervical ganglion, post-ganglionic fibers arise, which divide into: anastomoses with the lower cranial nerves and with the first four cervical nerves, via gray rami communicantes.

What does the superior cervical ganglion control?

Summary. The superior cervical ganglia (SCG) provide sympathetic innervation to the pineal gland, cephalic blood vessels, the choroid plexus, the eye, carotid body and the salivary and thyroid glands.

What is a ganglion in the neck?

The cervical ganglia are paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. Preganglionic nerves from the thoracic spinal cord enter into the cervical ganglions and synapse with its postganglionic fibers or nerves. The cervical ganglion has three paravertebral ganglia: inferior cervical ganglion.

What is a ganglion nerve?

A ganglion is a collection of neuronal bodies found in the voluntary and autonomic branches of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Ganglia can be thought of as synaptic relay stations between neurons. The information enters the ganglia, excites the neuron in the ganglia and then exits.

Which organs are controlled by superior cervical ganglion?

The SCG provides sympathetic innervation to structures within the head, including the pineal gland, the blood vessels in the cranial muscles and the brain, the choroid plexus, the eyes, the lacrimal glands, the carotid body, the salivary glands, and the thyroid gland.

What is cervical sympathectomy?

Sweating in the hand, arm and face/scalp is controlled by a sympathetic nerve in the lower neck and upper chest. With modern “keyhole” instruments and cameras this nerve can be seen and divided. This is called a cervical sympathectomy.

What is superior cervical ganglia?

The superior cervical ganglia are involved in the autonomic nervous system. They are involved explicitly with sympathetic efferent innervation, particularly to the face and head. The superior cervical ganglion is the most superior ganglion of the sympathetic chain, bilaterally.

How many cervical ganglia are there?

Head and neck There are three cervical ganglia: superior, middle, and inferior. The sympathetic trunk lies embedded on the posterior wall of the carotid sheath.

What is the purpose of the ganglia?

Ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies found throughout the body. They are part of the peripheral nervous system and carry nerve signals to and from the central nervous system.

What is spinal ganglion?

A spinal ganglion (dorsal root ganglion) is a cluster of nerve bodies positioned along the spinal cord at the dorsal and ventral roots of a spinal nerve.

What is parasympathetic ganglion?

Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system. Most are small terminal ganglia or intramural ganglia, so named because they lie near or within (respectively) the organs they innervate. The exceptions are the four paired parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck.

What is the structure and function of a ganglia?

Structure and function of a ganglion. Ganglia are oval in structure and contain neuronal cell bodies (somata), satellite cells (a type of glial cell ), and a protective connective tissue layer. Autonomic and sensory ganglia are histologically  similar, with the former containing multipolar neurons, and the latter usually containing unipolar

What are the axons of the superior cervical ganglion do?

The postganglionic axons of the Superior cervical ganglion innervate the eye and lacrimal gland and cause vasoconstriction of the iris and sclera, pupillary dilation, widening of the palpebral fissure, and the reduced production of tears. These responses are important during Fight-or-flight response of the ANS.

How did John Langley discover the superior cervical ganglion?

In the late 19th century, John Langley discovered that the superior cervical ganglion is topographically organized. When certain areas of the superior cervical ganglion were stimulated, a reflex occurred in specified regions of the head. His findings showed that preganglionic neurons innervate specific postganglionic neurons.

How does the superior cervical ganglion affect the eye?

The eye. The postganglionic axons of the Superior cervical ganglion innervate the eye and lacrimal gland and cause vasoconstriction of the iris and sclera, pupillary dilation, widening of the palpebral fissure, and the reduced production of tears. These responses are important during Fight-or-flight response of the ANS.