Cervical sympathetic chain

The **cervical sympathetic chain** (also called the cervical sympathetic trunk) is an anatomical structure, not a single molecule or receptor[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. It consists of a paired nerve bundle running along each side of the cervical vertebral column, made up of three interconnected sympathetic ganglia: the superior cervical ganglion, middle cervical ganglion, and inferior cervical ganglion (which often fuses with the first thoracic ganglion to form the stellate ganglion)[1][2][3][4][5][7]. The chain serves as a relay and distribution center for sympathetic fibers ascending from the thoracic spinal cord, regulating autonomic functions in the head, neck, and upper thorax[1][2][3][4][6][7]. It is not a classical drug target such as a receptor, enzyme, or ion channel but instead is part of the nervous system's pathway[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Damage or intervention at the cervical sympathetic chain (e.g., during surgery) can cause clinical syndromes, most notably Horner’s syndrome[1][4]. **Note:** This entry is "incorrect" as a classical drug development target; the cervical sympathetic chain is an anatomical structure, not a defined molecular target like a receptor, transporter, or enzyme. Thus, "is_target" is false, and "is_incorrect" is true for the purposes of molecule/receptor target data models[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

cervical sympathetic trunksympathetic chain (cervical part)cervical part of sympathetic trunk