Stellate ganglion | Ganglion of the nervous system

Stellate ganglion

The ganglion stellatum also belongs to the autonomous nerve cell aggregations. In contrast to the ganglion oticum, however, it contains only sympathetic nerve fibers. The Stellate ganglion is located at the level of the lower cervical spine at the transition to the thoracic spine.

The stellate ganglion is the result of the fusion of two adjacent sympathetic nerve nodes, namely the lowest cervical ganglion and the highest thoracic ganglion. Another term for the stellate ganglion is therefore also called cervicothoracic ganglion. As in the otic ganglion, some of the nerve fibers are connected directly in the ganglion, other fibers simply pass through without switching.

The stellate ganglion supplies various areas with its sympathetic nerve fibers. The most important of these is the innervation of the heart and lungs by sympathetic fibers. However, the thyroid and parathyroid glands are also supplied with fibers from the stellate ganglion.

The ganglion also releases some sympathetic nerve fibers to supply certain areas of the head and neck. It is also worth knowing about the ganglion stellatum that it can be specifically switched off. The effect of the sympathetic nervous system can be reduced by local anesthesia and a related blockade.The reduced effect leads to a vasodilatation in the corresponding area as well as to a reduced sweat secretion.

A so-called Horner syndrome can also occur on the affected side. It is characterized by a drooping eyelid, a clearly constricted pupil and an apparent sinking of the eyeball back into the eye socket.