Common Carotid Plexus: Structure, Function & Diseases

The common carotid plexus is a nerve plexus in the human organism. This is a network of different nerves that connect their fibers. The common carotid plexus consists of sympathetic nerve fibers.

What is the common carotid plexus?

In the human organism, there is a plexus of nerves, lymphatic vessels, veins or arteries in various places. They are referred to as the plexus. There are numerous of these plexuses in the head and trunk area. Many of them form along arterial vessels. The common carotid plexus is a plexus of various nerve fibers. It is a continuation of the external carotic plexus. The plexus is a plexus of sympathetic nerve tracts. Thus, the common carotic plexus is a part of the autonomic nervous system that performs important supply functions. It is formed by two ganglia of the upper cervical region. Their task is to supply the nerve tracts of the neck as well as the head region with various nerve fibers. In the head region, the common carotid plexus supplies the sweat glands, various blood vessels, the eye, and the salivary glands. The carotid artery completely encases the common carotid plexus with most of its branches. The nerve fibers of the autonomic nervous system often form very extensive plexuses. The common carotid plexus is comparatively considered a very thin plexus in the human organism. Nevertheless, it supplies wide and also important areas in the head and neck.

Anatomy and structure

Anatomically, somatic and autonomic nerve plexuses are distinguished from each other. The somatic include the brachial plexus, cervical plexus, lumbar plexus, and sacral plexus. The autonomic plexuses are oriented to the arteries and are subdivided into the cardiac plexus, the coeliac plexus, or the pulmonary plexus, among others. The common carotid plexus is a nerve plexus composed of sympathetic nerve fibers. It is a continuation of the external carotid plexus. This forms around the external carotid artery. This is the external carotid artery. It is a branch of the common carotid artery. The external carotid artery is responsible for supplying the head and soft tissues of the neck. It also supplies arterial blood to the meninges, dura mater and parts of the skull. The common carotid plexus is formed by fibers arising from the superior cervical ganglion and the middle cervical ganglion. Both ganglia are located in the upper cervical region. They supply nerve fibers to the neck and head.

Function and tasks

The common carotid plexus is a network of nerve fibers that ensures supply to surrounding regions or organs. Through it, the human eye is supplied. In addition, its branches in the head region innervate the sweat glands, blood vessels and salivary glands. The sweat glands are responsible for thermoregulation within the body. If the temperature inside rises, the sweat comes out. New fluid is produced in the organism and this has a cooling function. In addition, toxins or harmful substances absorbed through sweat are removed. The ph-value is regulated by the sweat. Together with lipids, sweat forms the so-called protective acid mantle that covers the skin. This is a natural protective function. Germs that are harmful to health are repelled and thus do not reach the inside of the body. Since the common carotid plexus also supplies the salivary glands, it has an indirectly important function in digestion. Via the saliva, ingested food is already decomposed in the mouth area during the chewing process. In this way, carbohydrates, for example, already reach the stomach in a predigested state and can be broken down more easily there.

Diseases

Lesions of the common carotid plexus can cause the supply to various areas of the head and neck to become restricted. For example, the sweat glands or salivary glands no longer receive an adequate supply. This leads to their activity being restricted. Thermoregulation in the organism is disturbed. Toxins in the body can no longer be adequately removed through sweat. The saliva of the glands is essential to break down ingested food before it reaches the digestive tract.Carbohydrates, for example, are already broken down by the saliva in the mouth during the chewing process. This facilitates the digestive process. In addition, the functional capacity of the eye is limited as soon as the carotid commissure plexus can no longer fully perform its function. Visual stimuli are no longer fully absorbed and transmitted to the visual cortex. This leads to perceptual limitations. In addition, the supply of the components of the eye takes place inadequately. This can lead to problems with the activity of the retina. The common carotid plexus suffers lesions as soon as swelling occurs in a surrounding region. The tissue can take up the extra space and thus bruising of the brain occurs. In addition, hemorrhage may occur. The external carotid artery encases the common carotid plexus. As soon as it suffers lesions and blood leaks, activity of the common carotid plexus is affected. In severe cases, failure of the common carotid plexus is possible. In addition, inflammation of the nerve pathways may occur and spread. The common carotid plexus is surrounded by various nerve fibers through which pathogens can spread further. Nerve inflammation also leads to loss of function and may also cause pain.