cervical ganglion

noun

: any of three sympathetic ganglia on each side of the neck:

a

: a ganglion at the top of the sympathetic chain that lies between the internal carotid artery and the second and third cervical vertebrae and that sends postganglionic fibers to the heart, larynx, and pharynx, and to the head

called also superior cervical ganglion

b

: a ganglion at the level of the carotid cartilage that is the smallest of the cervical ganglia, that varies in its presence or absence, size, form, and position, and that sends fibers to the fifth and sixth cervical nerves

called also middle cervical ganglion

see thyroid ganglion

c

: a ganglion that is located between the base of the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra and the fifth rib and is usually partly or completely fused with the first thoracic ganglion to form the stellate ganglion

called also inferior cervical ganglion