

CERVICOCEPHALIC PORTION OF THE GANGLIATED CORD 1069 



THE GANGLIATED CORD (TRUNCUS SYMPATHETICUS). 

 Cervicocephalic Portion of the Gangliated Cord (Figs. 781, 782). 



The cervicocephalic portion of each gangliated cord (pars cephalica et cervicalis 

 s. sympathici) consists of three ganglia, distinguished, according to their position, 

 as the superior, middle, and inferior cervical, connected by intervening cords. 

 This portion of the sympathetic cord receives no white rami communicantes from 

 the cervical spinal nerves, its spinal fibres being derived from the white rami 

 of the upper thoracic nerves which enter the corresponding thoracic ganglia of the 

 sympathetic and through these ascend into the cervical portion. 



The superior cervical ganglion (ganglion cervicale superius) (Figs. 780 and 

 781), the largest of the three, is about three-quarters of an inch in length. It is 

 placed opposite the second and third cervical vertebra. It is of a reddish-gray 

 color, is usually fusiform in shape, is sometimes broad and flattened, and is 

 occasionally constricted at intervals; it is believed that it is formed by the coales- 

 cence of the four ganglia corresponding to the four upper cervical nerves. It is 

 in relation, in front, with the sheath of the internal carotid artery and internal 

 jugular vein; behind, it lies on the Rectus capitis anticus major. 



Its branches may be divided into superior, inferior, external, internal, and 

 anterior. 



The superior branch (n. caroticus interims) (Fig. 739) appears to be a direct 

 prolongation of, the ganglion. It is soft in texture and of a reddish color. It 

 ascends by the side of the internal carotid artery, and, entering the carotid canal 

 in the temporal bone, divides into two branches, which lie, one on the outer, and 

 the other on the inner, side of that vessel. 



The outer branch, the larger of the two, distributes filaments to the internal 

 carotid artery and forms the carotid plexus. 



The inner branch also distributes filaments to the internal carotid artery, and, 

 continuing onward, forms the cavernous plexus. 



The Carotid Plexus (plexus caroticus iniernus) (Figs. 780 and 781) is situated 

 on the outer side of the internal carotid artery. Filaments from this plexus occa- 

 sionally form a small gangliform swelling, the carotid ganglion, on the under surface 

 of the artery. The carotid plexus communicates with the Gasserian ganglion, 

 the abducent nerve, and the sphenopalatine ganglion; it distributes filaments to 

 the wall of the carotid artery, and also communicates with Jacobson's nerve 

 (the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal). 



The communicating branches to the abducent nerve consist of one' or two filaments 

 which join that nerve as it lies upon the outer side of the internal carotid artery. 

 The communication with the sphenopalatine ganglion is effected by a branch, the 

 large deep petrosal nerve (Fig. 740), given off from the plexus on the outer side 

 of the artery; this branch passes through the cartilage filling up the foramen 

 lacerum medium, and joins the large superficial petrosal from the facial to form 

 the Vidian nerve (Figs. 735 and 740). The Vidian nerve then proceeds through 

 the Vidian canal to the sphenopalatine ganglion. The communication with 

 Jacobson's nerve is effected by two branches, one of which is called the deep 

 petrosal nerve, and the other the caroticotympanic nerve; the latter may consist 

 of two or three delicate filaments. 



The Cavernous Plexus (plexus cavernosus) (Fig. 781) is situated below and in- 

 ternal to that part of the internal carotid which is placed by the side of the sella 

 turcica, in the cavernous .sinus, and is formed chiefly by the internal division of 

 the ascending branch from the superior cervical ganglion. It communicates 

 with the oculomotor, the trochlear, the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal, 



