[Human and animal ciliary ganglion--history and modern conceptions]

This paper reviews one of the complicated problems of the anatomy of the autonomic nervous system--the structure of human ciliary ganglion (CG). The literature data as well as the results obtained by the department and personally by the authors, are analyzed in three aspects: (a) human CG external structure and topography; (b) CG anatomy in animals and (c) characteristic of neurocytes of human and animal CG. The evidence indicating the absence of sympathetic root in both humans and animals, is presented. The size, shape and topography of CG are interrelated by the features of morphogenesis, thus reflecting it: these parameters are associated with a different localization of neuroblasts--precursor cells for CG neurons in brachicephals and dolichocephals. Authors conclude, that the data obtained in animal experiments cannot be extrapolated to humans, not only due to their contradictory nature, but also because of the definite presence of CG sensory root in man.