Middle cardiac nerve
Encyclopedia
The middle cardiac nerve (great cardiac nerve), the largest of the three cardiac nerves, arises from the middle cervical ganglion
, or from the trunk between the middle and inferior ganglia.
On the right side it descends behind the common carotid artery
, and at the root of the neck runs either in front of or behind the subclavian artery
; it then descends on the trachea, receives a few filaments from the recurrent nerve, and joins the right half of the deep part of the cardiac plexus
.
In the neck, it communicates with the superior cardiac and recurrent nerves.
On the left side, the middle cardiac nerve enters the chest between the left carotid and subclavian arteries, and joins the left half of the deep part of the cardiac plexus
.
Middle cervical ganglion
The middle cervical ganglion is the smallest of the three cervical ganglia, and is occasionally absent.It is placed opposite the sixth cervical vertebra, usually in front of, or close to, the inferior thyroid artery....
, or from the trunk between the middle and inferior ganglia.
On the right side it descends behind the common carotid artery
Common carotid artery
In human anatomy, the common carotid artery is an artery that supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood; it divides in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries. - Structure :...
, and at the root of the neck runs either in front of or behind the subclavian artery
Subclavian artery
In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are two major arteries of the upper thorax , below the clavicle . They receive blood from the top of the aorta...
; it then descends on the trachea, receives a few filaments from the recurrent nerve, and joins the right half of the deep part of the cardiac plexus
Cardiac plexus
The cardiac plexus is a plexus of nerves situated at the base of the heart that innervates the heart.-Structure:The cardiac plexus is divided into a superficial part, which lies in the concavity of the aortic arch, and a deep part, between the aortic arch and the trachea.The two parts are, however,...
.
In the neck, it communicates with the superior cardiac and recurrent nerves.
On the left side, the middle cardiac nerve enters the chest between the left carotid and subclavian arteries, and joins the left half of the deep part of the cardiac plexus
Cardiac plexus
The cardiac plexus is a plexus of nerves situated at the base of the heart that innervates the heart.-Structure:The cardiac plexus is divided into a superficial part, which lies in the concavity of the aortic arch, and a deep part, between the aortic arch and the trachea.The two parts are, however,...
.