Location
The Stellate ganglion is formed by the fusion of the cervical ganglion, which is the lowest ganglion of our neck, with the first ganglion of our chest. The resulting name is Ganglion cervicothoracicum. So it represents a large nerve plexus. It can be found on the back end of the uppermost rib and behind the uppermost part of the pleura above the first rib, between the vertebral artery and our carotid artery. General information can be found under: Ganglion of the Nervous System
Function
To understand the function of this ganglion, it is important to establish a connection to our nervous system. This accumulation of nerves is connected to our sympathetic nervous system, which has the function to put our body in an escape situation (keywords: Fight, Flight, Fright). Accordingly, the above-mentioned pathways fulfill the tasks: To get parts of the head, the cervical nerves, the upper body (sweat glands, skin vessels and lungs) and a part of the heart going, i.e. to stimulate these parts of the body in a sympathetic way.
This cannot be done by free will, but is regulated on a higher level in our brain. If the Stellate ganglion fails, these regions can no longer be supplied and the clinical picture of the Horner syndrome develops. However, blocking this accumulation of nerve cell bodies also has a therapeutic function. More on this in the following:
Blockade of the Stellate ganglion
A blockade of the Stellate ganglion is known in clinical jargon as Stellate blockade. Here, the function of the ganglion is suppressed locally (locally) by a specific drug. Thus the ganglion stellate can no longer act on our sympathetic nervous system.
But what is the purpose of elimination? As already mentioned above, our sympathetic nervous system plays a decisive role, which is responsible for putting our body into a situation of flight, fight and terror. In order to produce this reaction, the body reacts with a narrowing of the vessels, an increased heartbeat and also an increase in blood pressure.
These are the very qualities that are also present when you encounter a saber-toothed tiger, for example. Since our mind has no influence on whether the ganglion should be active or not – it is not a muscle I can tense when I feel like it – such a stellate blockade can help. This counteracts a narrowing of the vessels with an expansion, and also reduces the secretion of sweat. Furthermore, this blockade can be used for certain types of headaches. The physician can determine whether he or she has performed the blockade correctly based on the symptoms of Horner syndrome.
