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Does the ganglion of Ribes exist?
R Shane Tubbs1, David R Kelly, Mohammadali M Shoja
1Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. rstubbs@uab.edu
Folia Neuropathologica
|October 14, 2006
Summary
The ganglion of Ribes, proposed as the superior sympathetic nervous system ganglion, was investigated. Histological analysis revealed no distinct ganglion, but scattered sympathetic neuronal cell bodies were found in the anterior communicating artery adventitia.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neuroscience
- Histology
Background:
- The ganglion of Ribes has been described as the most superior ganglion of the sympathetic nervous system.
- This ganglion is reportedly located on the anterior communicating artery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To histologically and immunochemically verify the existence of the ganglion of Ribes.
- To determine the nature of neuronal structures associated with the anterior communicating artery.
Main Methods:
- Harvesting of the anterior communicating artery from 40 adult cadavers.
- Gross examination and histological analysis with immunochemistry.
Main Results:
- No grossly visible or magnified ganglion-like structures were identified in or around the anterior communicating artery.
- Scattered neuronal cell bodies were detected within the adventitia of the anterior communicating artery.
- Immunochemistry indicated these neurons are sympathetic, showing tyrosine hydroxylase positivity and vasoactive intestinal peptide negativity.
Conclusions:
- A distinct, grossly visible ganglion of Ribes does not appear to exist.
- The anterior communicating artery adventitia contains scattered sympathetic neuronal cell bodies.
- The precise function of these adventitial neurons remains undetermined.
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