Abstract: Objective    To study the anatomical characteristics of vertebral ganglia, so as to provide the anatomic reference for anesthesia of cervical sympathetic ganglion.    Methods   Total 30 adult specimens (60 sides) were dissected. The vertebral ganglia and thyroid ganglion were distinguished according to their appearance forms. The morphology, location, size of the vertebral ganglia and the adjacent relationship with surrounding structures were observed.    Results    The occurrence rate of vertebral ganglia was 83.33%. The length of vertebral ganglia was (5.06±2.64) mm in males and (4.72±2.56) mm in females on the right side, (4.43±2.76) mm in males, (4.28±2.43) mm in females on the left side. The width of vertebral ganglia was (3.31±1.57) mm in males and (2.86±1.96) mm in females on the right side, (3.14±0.93) mm in males and (3.08±1.56) mm in females on the left side. The thickness of vertebral ganglia was (1.52±1.07) mm in males and (1.88±1.56) mm in females on the right side, (1.57±0.98) mm in males and (2.14±1.21) mm in females on the left side. There were no statistical differences in the length, width and thickness of both sides of vertebral ganglia. The vertebral ganglia was mostly oval in shape (50 %), which was mainly located slightly above the starting part of vertebral artery.  Outgoing branches of vertebral ganglia were distributed in the corresponding parts with the postganglionic fibers of cervicothoracic ganglia. There was no statistical difference in the distance from the vertebral ganglion of both sides to the anterior midline cervical line and the depth from the vertebral ganglion of both sides to the skin (P>0.05).    Conclusions   The vertebral ganglion is an integral part of cervical sympathetic trunk, which may be the assistant of cervicothoracic ganglion and a part of middle ganglion (lower middle ganglion). Vertebral ganglion sends the postganglionic fiber to the target organ together. The incomplete block and adverse reaction of the cervicothoracic ganglion may be related to the fibrous connection of the vertebral ganglion.

Key words: Sympathetic nerve,  ,  , Anesthesia,  ,  , Vertebral ganglion,  ,  , Applied anatomy