Ganglion impar
Encyclopedia
The pelvic portion of each sympathetic trunk
is situated in front of the sacrum
, medial to the anterior sacral foramina
. It consists of four or five small sacral ganglia
, connected together by interganglionic cords, and continuous above with the abdominal portion. Below, the two pelvic sympathetic trunks converge, and end on the front of the coccyx in a small ganglion, the ganglion impar (or ganglion of Walther).
have published that sometimes even just a single local nerve block injection at the ganglion impar can give 100% relief of coccydynia
(tailbone pain, also called coccyx pain), when performed under fluoroscopic guidance.
Sympathetic trunk
The sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
is situated in front of the sacrum
Sacrum
In vertebrate anatomy the sacrum is a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. Its upper part connects with the last lumbar vertebra, and bottom part with the coccyx...
, medial to the anterior sacral foramina
Anterior sacral foramina
At the ends of the transverse ridges of the pelvic surface of the sacrum are seen the anterior sacral foramina , four in number on either side, somewhat rounded in form, diminishing in size from above downward, and directed lateralward and forward.They give exit to the anterior divisions of the...
. It consists of four or five small sacral ganglia
Sacral ganglia
The sacral ganglia are paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic trunk. As the sympathetic trunk heads inferiorly down the sacrum, it turns medially. There are generally four or five sacral ganglia...
, connected together by interganglionic cords, and continuous above with the abdominal portion. Below, the two pelvic sympathetic trunks converge, and end on the front of the coccyx in a small ganglion, the ganglion impar (or ganglion of Walther).
Clinical significance
Physicians at New Jersey Medical School specializing in Physical Medicine and RehabilitationPhysical medicine and rehabilitation
Physical medicine and rehabilitation , physiatry or rehabilitation medicine, is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. A physician having completed training in this field is referred to as a...
have published that sometimes even just a single local nerve block injection at the ganglion impar can give 100% relief of coccydynia
Coccydynia
Coccydynia is a medical term meaning pain in the coccyx or tailbone area, usually brought on by sitting too abruptly.-Diagnosis:A number of different conditions can cause pain in the general area of the coccyx, but not all involve the coccyx and the muscles attached to it. The first task of...
(tailbone pain, also called coccyx pain), when performed under fluoroscopic guidance.
See also
- ImparImparImpar can be:*'Impar' is a synonym for azygos, an anatomical word for "unpaired"*IMPAR is the acronym for Companhia Cabo-Verdiana de Seguros, a Cape Verdean insurance company.*See 'Ganglion impar' for the nerves near the coccyx....
- Coccydynia (coccyx pain, tailbone pain)CoccydyniaCoccydynia is a medical term meaning pain in the coccyx or tailbone area, usually brought on by sitting too abruptly.-Diagnosis:A number of different conditions can cause pain in the general area of the coccyx, but not all involve the coccyx and the muscles attached to it. The first task of...
- Coccyx (tailbone)CoccyxThe coccyx , commonly referred to as the tailbone, is the final segment of the vertebral column. Comprising three to five separate or fused vertebrae below the sacrum, it is attached to the sacrum by a fibrocartilaginous joint, the sacrococcygeal symphysis, which permits limited movement between...