430 CERVICAL GANGLIA. 



and with it the naso-palatine ganglion, joins the plexus by means of 

 the carotid branch of the Vidian. The submaxillary ganglion is 

 also connected with it through the Vidian. And the otic ganglion 

 is brought in relation with it by means of the tympanic nerve and 

 by the Vidian. 



It communicates with the third nerve in the cavernous sinus, and 

 through the ciliary ganglion ; with the Casserian ganglion ; with the 

 ophthalmic division of the fifth in the cavernous sinus, and by means 

 of the ciliary ganglion ; with the superior maxillary, through the 

 sphcno-palatinc ganglion ; and with the inferior maxillary, through 

 the chorda tympani and Vidian. It sends two branches directly to 

 the sixth nerve, which unite* with it as it crosses the cavernous 

 sinus ; it communicates with the facial and auditory nerves, through 

 the medium of the petrosal branch of the Vidian ; and with the 

 glosso-pharyngeal and pneumogastric nerves, through the nervus 

 petrosus superficialis minor, a branch from the otic ganglion to the 

 tympanic nerve. 



CERVICAL GANGLIA. 



The Superior cervical ganglion is. long and fusiform, of a grayish 

 colour, smooth, and of considerable thickness, extending from within 

 an inch of the carotid foramen in the petrous bone to opposite 

 the lower border of the third cervical vertebra. It is in relation in 

 front with the sheath of the internal carotid artery and internal 

 jugular vein ; and behind with the rectus anticus major muscle. 



Its branches, like those of all the sympathetic ganglia in the trunk, 

 are divisible into superior, inferior, external, and internal; to which 

 may be added, as proper to this ganglion, anterior. 



The superior is a single branch which ascends by the side of the 

 internal carotid, and divides into two branches ; one lying to the 

 outer side, the other to the inner side of that vessel. The two 

 branches enter the carotid canal, and communicate by means of 

 several filaments sent from one to the other, to constitute the carotid 

 plexus. 



The inferior or descending branch, sometimes two, is the cord of 

 communication with the middle cervical ganglion. 



The external branches are numerous, and may be divided into 

 two sets: 1, Those which communicate with the glosso-pharyngeal, 

 pneumogastric, and hypoglossal nerves ; and, 2, those which com- 

 municate with the three first cervical nerves. 



The internal branches are three in number: 1. Pharyngeal, to 

 assist in forming the pharyngeal plexus ; 2. Laryngeal, to join the 

 superior laryngeal nerve and its branches ; and, 3. The superior 

 cardiac nerve, or nervous superficialis cordis. 



* Panizza, in his " Experimental Researches on the Nerves," denies this communi- 

 cation, and states very vaguely that " they arc merely lost and entwined around it." 

 Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, January 1836. 



