The otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon is aware that the cervical sympathetic nerves lie behind the carotid artery and should be avoided during neck surgery. To render this sketchy dictum more tangible, relevant anatomy and physiology of the autonomic supply to the head and neck is reviewed, as are aspects of site-of-lesion testing, with respect to Horner's syndrome. Examples of neck operations during which the cervical sympathetic chain—from the base of skull to the root of the neck—may be injured are illustrated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
GreenwoodB. The origins of sympathectomy. Med Hist1967; 11: 165–9.
SmithPGDychesTJBurdeRM. Topographic analysis of Horner's syndrome. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1986; 94: 451–7.
9.
PalumboLT. A new concept of the sympathetic pathways to the eye—a new technique to avoid Horner's syndrome. Surgery1957; 42: 740–8.
10.
ListCFPeetMM. Sweat secretion in man. II. Anatomic distribution of disturbances in sweating associated with lesions of the sympathetic nervous system. Arch Neurol Psychiatry1938; 40: 27–43.
11.
GuttmanL. The distribution of disturbances of sweat secretion after extirpation of certain sympathetic cervical ganglia in man. J Anat1940; 74: 537–49.
