IntroductionThere are various communications between the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. However, little information exists concerning the origin of these sympathetic ganglion branches at the superior, middle, and inferior regions of the human SCG. The aim of this study was to describe the human SCG in a morphometric manner with the communication with cranial and cervical nerves and supply.MethodsThis study characterized 72 SCG samples from 54 elderly Japanese human cadavers (30 males, 24 females; 65–100 years old). The SCG size (length, width, and thickness) and location were measured from the jugular foramen. We also defined the communication branches of the SCG to the vagus, glossopharyngeal, cervical, and accessory nerves at three regions (superior, middle, and inferior regions) of the SCG. Finally, we examined the arrangement and origin of the branch communications in detail and confirmed our observations, using histological sections of the SCG.ResultsThe SCG in all cadaver donors was detected at the C2 and C3 vertebra levels. The number of SCG branches supplied the communicating branches, such as the carotid branch, communicating branch of the vagus nerve, and glossopharyngeal nerve, were frequently detected in the superior region of the SCG (χ2 = 587.72, df = 26, p < .001). The number of ganglion cells with a large number of neurons per unit area (1 mm2) was most often found in the middle region with shrunken neurons of the SCG compared with other regions.ConclusionThe communication branches of the SCG are mainly connected to the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. Characterizing these branches can provide useful data for head and neck ganglion block and surgical treatments.

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mediates inflammation and head pain by influencing the functional vascular blood supply. CGRP is a well-characterized mediator of receptor-regulated neurotransmitter release. However, knowledge regarding the role of CGRP during the development of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is limited. In the present study, we observed the localization of CGRP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) mRNAs during prenatal development at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), E17.5 and postnatal day 1 (P1) using in situ hybridization. The antisense probe for CGRP was detected by in situ hybridization at E14.5, E17.5, and P1, and the highest levels were detected at E17.5. In contrast, the antisense probe for VEGF-A was detected by in situ hybridization in gradually increasing intensity from E14.5 to P1. The differences in the expression of these two markers revealed specific characteristics related to CGRP concentration and release compared to those of VEGF-A during development. The correlation between CGRP and VEGF-A may influence functional stress and the vascular blood supply during prenatal and postnatal development.

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The neuropeptide calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a well‐characterized mediator of receptor‐regulated neurotransmitter release. However, little is known between CGRP during the development of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). In the present study, we observed the localization of the CGRP mRNA using in situ hybridization during development from the embryonic stage to after birth day 14.5 (E14.5), E17.5 and postnatal day 1 (P1). The different ratio was found in SCG ganglion cells and shrunken cells. The antisense probe for CGRP was detected by in situ hybridization at E14.5, E17.5, and P1, and the highest levels of positive CGRP ganglion cells were detected at E17.5. The specific characters of CGRP concentration and release were occurred during development. The CGRP may influence the functional stress during prenatal and postnatal development.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.