Macroanatomical Investigation of the Cervicothoracic Ganglion in Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus

Abstract

The article provides anatomic information about cervicothoracic ganglion in roe deer. For this purpose 12 cervicothoracic ganglia obtained from the right and left sides of 6 mature roe deer weighing 18-25 kg of both sexes were investigated. Cervicothoracic ganglion was located at the first intercostal space and ventrolateral side of long-us colli muscle. This ganglion which was in various forms such as triangle, spindle and reverse L and was in connection with eighth cervical (C8) and first two thoracal spinal (T1, T2) nerves by communicating branches (rami communicantes). In all roe deer, there were two communicating branches lying from ventral rami of first thoracal spinal nerve to cervicothoracic ganglion. The major nerves leaving from the cervicothoracic ganglion were vertebral nerve, two branches forming subclavian ansa (cranial and caudal branches) and thin nerve branches originating from the caudodorsal and caudoventral sides of ganglion. Caudal branch forming subclavian ansa gave nerve branches to vagus nerve. In totally four structures, middle cervical ganglion were detected on the place where cranial and caudal branches of subclavian ansa were combined. Nerve branches diverging from the caudodorsal and caudoventral sides of cervicothoracic ganglion, especially as the branch or branches reached to the base of heart, gave branches to the neighboring main vessels during its course. In some cadavers, the mentioned branch was seperated from the caudal branch of subclavian ansa. This branch passed the right side of aorta and joined to cardiac plexus. In conclusion, although differences were observed in the investigated materials, general form and locational of cervicothoracic ganglion and nerve branches seperating from this ganglion was similar to those of other ruminants and especially goat.