Internal carotid plexus
Encyclopedia
The internal carotid plexus (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.
Postganglionic sympathetic fibres ascend from the superior cervical ganglion, along the walls of the internal carotid artery, to enter the internal carotid plexus. These fibres then distribute to deep structures, which include the Superior Tarsal Muscle and pupillary dilator muscles. Some of the fibres from the internal carotid plexus converge to form the deep petrosal nerve.
The internal carotid plexus communicates with the trigeminal ganglion
, the abducent nerve
, and the sphenopalatine ganglion; it distributes filaments to the wall of the carotid artery
, and also communicates with the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve
.
Internal carotid artery
In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....
, and in the plexus there occasionally exists a small gangliform swelling, the carotid ganglion, on the under surface of the artery.
Postganglionic sympathetic fibres ascend from the superior cervical ganglion, along the walls of the internal carotid artery, to enter the internal carotid plexus. These fibres then distribute to deep structures, which include the Superior Tarsal Muscle and pupillary dilator muscles. Some of the fibres from the internal carotid plexus converge to form the deep petrosal nerve.
The internal carotid plexus communicates with the trigeminal ganglion
Trigeminal ganglion
The trigeminal ganglion is a sensory ganglion of the trigeminal nerve that occupies a cavity in the dura mater, covering the trigeminal impression near the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone.-Relations:It is somewhat crescentic in shape, with its convexity...
, the abducent nerve
Abducent nerve
The abducens nerve or abducent nerve is a somatic efferent nerve that controls the movement of a single muscle, the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, in humans. In most other mammals it also innervates the musculus retractor bulbi, which can retract the eye for protection...
, and the sphenopalatine ganglion; it distributes filaments to the wall of the carotid artery
Carotid artery
Carotid artery can refer to:* Common carotid artery* External carotid artery* Internal carotid artery...
, and also communicates with the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve
Glossopharyngeal nerve
The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth of twelve pairs of cranial nerves . It exits the brainstem out from the sides of the upper medulla, just rostral to the vagus nerve...
.