The anatomy of cervical sympathetic ganglia in Saanen goats

Abstract

Sympathetic ganglions located in the cervical region are important organs that make the final synapse of the sympathetic nerve fibers reached to the head, neck, and forelimbs. As far as we know, there are not any anatomical data about cervical sympathetic ganglia in Saanen goat. In this study, we determined the nerve branches separated from the ganglia and the location of the ganglia. We also determined the expression of some enzymes and proteins such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and substance P (SP) in ganglia. Ganglion cervicale craniale (GCC) was on the medial side of bulla tympanica. Mainly branches named as nn. carotici interni, n. jugularis and nn. carotici extern was found to be separated from this ganglion and thin branches joined to the nearby nerve. It was found that n. vertebralis, the two branches that constitute the ansa subclavian, and the thin nerve branches involved in the surrounding tissues and organs separated from ganglion cervicothoracicum (GCT) that located in the first intercostal space. A total of five ganglion cervicale medium (GCM) found at the junction of the two branches forming the ansa subclavia. Another ganglion was not found on where cervical part of truncus sympathicus in all dissections and histological examinations. D beta H, TH, NPY and SP were revealed to be express in all ganglia. D beta H and NPY in CCG, TH in MCG, D beta H, NPY and TH in GCT were found to be more intense staining.