What is the carotid plexus?

The carotid plexus is a network of intersecting sympathetic nerves which run parallel to the carotid artery into the head. They branch out from the superior cervical ganglia

superior cervical ganglia

The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), more specifically it is part of the sympathetic nervous system, a division of the ANS most commonly associated with the fight or flight response. The ANS is composed of pathways that lead to and from ganglia, groups of nerve cells.

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Superior cervical ganglion - Wikipedia

of the sympathetic chain

sympathetic chain

The sympathetic trunks (sympathetic chain, gangliated cord) are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx. They are a major component of the sympathetic nervous system.

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Sympathetic trunk - Wikipedia

.

Where is the carotid plexus?

The internal carotid plexus is situated on the lateral side of the internal carotid artery, and in the plexus there occasionally exists a small gangliform swelling, the carotid ganglion, on the under surface of the artery.

What is the function of the carotid plexus?

The external carotid plexus sends axons to the smooth muscles of the face and upper neck, along branches of the external carotid artery. The internal carotid plexus sends axons to the trigeminal and ciliary ganglia, and the oculomotor, trochlear, ophthalmic, abducens, and glossopharyngeal nerves.

Where does carotid plexus come from?

The external carotid plexus is a combination of postganglionic sympathetic fibers derived from the superior cervical ganglion. This plexus travels along the external carotid artery and continues onto the artery's branches.

What forms the internal carotid plexus?

One large branch (the internal carotid nerve) leaves the ganglion and branches to form the internal carotid plexus, which travels on the internal carotid artery into the cranial cavity.

What is INTERNAL CAROTID PLEXUS? What does INTERNAL CAROTID PLEXUS mean?

What is a plexus?

A plexus is a bundle of intersecting nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels in the human body. These bundles typically originate from the same anatomical area and serve specific areas of the body. Bundles of nerves that form a plexus communicate information to your brain about pain, temperature, and pressure.

What is the cavernous plexus?

The cavernous nerve plexus (also called the Walther plexus) is situated below and medial to that part of the internal carotid artery which is placed by the side of the sella turcica in the cavernous sinus, and is formed chiefly by the medial division of the internal carotid nerve.

What are the 4 parasympathetic ganglia?

Parasympathetic ganglia which innervate targets in the head are located in four main ganglia: the ciliary, pterygopalatine, submandibular and otic ganglia. Scattered microganglia may also be distributed along cranial nerves.

Does vagus innervate carotid sinus?

The present study also demonstrated variations including an inconstant contribution to innervation of carotid sinus by the vagus nerve (25%), superior pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve (50%), the sympathetic trunk (17%), and superior cervical ganglion (17%).

What is the sympathetic plexus?

An autonomic plexus composed of sympathetic axons. Large sympathetic plexuses surround the midline (prevertebral) sympathetic ganglia, which are found near major midline arteries such as the celiac trunk.

What does the pharyngeal plexus innervate?

The pharyngeal plexus provides sensory innervation of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx from CN IX and CN X. (The nasopharynx above the pharyngotympanic tube and the torus tubarius is innervated by CN V₂).

What is in the circle of Willis?

Overview. The Circle of Willis is the joining area of several arteries at the bottom (inferior) side of the brain. At the Circle of Willis, the internal carotid arteries branch into smaller arteries that supply oxygenated blood to over 80% of the cerebrum.

What are the three cervical ganglia?

What's in carotid sheath?

The carotid sheath is an important landmark in head and neck anatomy and contains several vital neurovascular structures, including the carotid artery, jugular vein, vagus nerve, and sympathetic plexus. It extends upwards from the arch of the aorta and terminates at the skull base.

What is carotid sinus pressure?

Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is an exaggerated response to pressure applied to the carotid sinus located in the carotid bifurcation, resulting in bradycardia, vasodilation, and hypotension. This response is manifested clinically as syncope or presyncope and can cause fatal consequences.

Which part of the brain is involved in autonomic function?

The hypothalamus is the key brain site for central control of the autonomic nervous system, and the paraventricular nucleus is the key hypothalamic site for this control.

What are the symptoms of carotid sinus syndrome?

How can the carotid sinus cause sudden death?

Sudden death or strokes; Carotid sinus reflex death is a result of vagus nerve impulses which may cause the heart to stop beating, i.e. cardiac arrest; this occurs during strangulation.

What happens when the carotid sinus is stimulated?

In these individuals, stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors results in a more significant than expected decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. In such personalities, even shaving the neck, turning the neck, or looking upward may cause attacks of syncope and loss of consciousness.

What is another name for parasympathetic ganglia and?

The parasympathetic ganglia or craniosacral ganglia are a division of efferent nerve fibers and ganglia of the ANS.

What is the name of the parasympathetic ganglion?

Parasympathetic ganglia which innervate targets in the head are located in four main ganglia: the ciliary, pterygopalatine, submandibular and otic ganglia.

What is the main parasympathetic nerve?

The nerve fibres of the parasympathetic nervous system are the cranial nerves, primarily the vagus nerve, and the lumbar spinal nerves. When stimulated, these nerves increase digestive secretions and reduce the heartbeat.

What is Meckel's cave?

Meckel's cave is a natural mouth-shaped aperture in the medial portion of the middle cranial fossa that acts as a key conduit for the largest cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It connects the cavernous sinus to the prepontine cistern of the posterior fossa.

Is cavernous sinus A plexus?

The cavernous sinus is made up of very thin walled veins that make up a venous plexus. The cavernous sinus receives venous blood from the following: Superior middle cerebral vein.

Which nerve is first affected in a cavernous sinus thrombosis?

Periorbital edema may be the earliest physical finding. Chemosis results from occlusion of the ophthalmic veins. Lateral gaze palsy (isolated cranial nerve VI) is usually seen first since CN VI lies freely within the sinus in contrast to CN III and IV, which lie within the lateral walls of the sinus.