Sympathetic innervation: clinical + summary Flashcards
what can happen to the sympathetic fibres during their course to H+N?
can be stretched / damaged
what happens if the sympathetic fibres are damaged unilaterally?
produce a triad of symptoms - Horner’s syndrome
what are the triad of symptoms in Horner’s syndrome?
partial ptosis
miosis
anhydrosis
what is partial ptosis?
dropping of upper eyelid
what is partial ptosis due to?
paralysis of superior tarsal muscle - acts to open eyelid
what is miosis?
constriction of the pupil
what is miosis due to?
paralysis of dilator pupillae - acts to dilate pupils
what is anhydrosis?
decreased sweating (affecting same side of face as lesion)
why does anhydrosis occur?
loss of innervation to sweat glands of face
causes of Horner’s syndrome?
multitude of causes:
- spinal cord lesions
- traumatic injury
- Pancoast tumour
what is a pancoast tumour?
tumour affecting apex of lung (top), can involve the (cervical) ganglia
Cervical level of superior cervical ganglion?
C1-C4
arteries involved in superior cervical ganglion?
common, external, internal carotid arteries
effector organs of superior cervical ganglion?
eyeball, face, nasal glands, pharynx
glands in the palate and nasal cavity
salivary glands, lacrimal gland, sweat glands, pineal gland, dilator pupillae, superior tarsal muscle
carotid body, heart, arterial SM
vertebral level of middle cervical ganglion?
C6
