Structure and Development
- Neurons in the superior ganglion of the vagus nerve are pseudounipolar.
- The neurons provide sensory innervation through either the auricular or meningeal branch.
- The axons of these neurons synapse in the spinal trigeminal nucleus.
- The superior ganglion contains neurons that form two branches, the auricular and meningeal branch.
- Peripherally, the neurons innervate the concha of the auricle, the posteroinferior surface of the external auditory canal, and posteroinferior surface of the tympanic membrane.
- The neurons in the superior ganglion of the vagus nerve are embryonically derived from the neural crest.
- The neural crest can be seen in light green during embryonic development of the nervous system.
Function
- The superior ganglion contains neurons that innervate the concha of the auricle.
- Neurons in the superior ganglion innervate the posteroinferior surface of the external auditory canal.
- The posteroinferior surface of the tympanic membrane is innervated by neurons in the superior ganglion.
- Innervation of these structures is carried out via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
- Some of the dura mater lining the posterior cranial fossa is innervated by neurons in the superior ganglion through the meningeal branch of the vagus nerve.
Clinical significance
- Vagal neuralgia can cause pain in the external auditory canal (otalgia) due to vascular compression of the vagus nerve.
- The affected neurons in the superior ganglion innervate the ear via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
- Microvascular decompression of the vagus nerve is used to treat vagal neuralgia.
- Vagal neuralgia is often caused by compression from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
References
- Rubin, Michael (2016). Netters Concise Neuroanatomy.
- Burt, Alvin M. (1993). Textbook of Neuroanatomy.
- Mercante B, Ginatempo F, Manca A, Melis F, Enrico P, Deriu F (June 2018). Anatomo-Physiologic Basis for Auricular Stimulation.
- Tekdemir I, Aslan A, Elhan A (1998). A clinico-anatomic study of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve and Arnolds ear-cough reflex.
- Watanabe, Kentaro; Tubbs, R. Shane; Satoh, Shunsuke; Zomorodi, Ali R.; Liedtke, Wolfgang; Labidi, Moujahed; Friedman, Allan H.; Fukushima, Takanori (December 2016). Isolated Deep Ear Canal Pain: Possible Role of Auricular Branch of Vagus Nerve-Case Illustrations with Cadaveric Correlation.
None
The superior ganglion of the vagus nerve, (jugular ganglion) is a sensory ganglion of the peripheral nervous system. It is located within the jugular foramen, where the vagus nerve exits the skull. It is smaller than and proximal to the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve.
| Superior ganglion of vagus nerve | |
|---|---|
 Plan of upper portions of glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves. The superior ganglion of the vagus nerve is labeled as ‘jugular gang.’ | |
| Details | |
| From | vagus nerve |
| To | auricular branch of vagus nerve or meningeal branch of vagus nerve |
| Innervates | dura mater of posterior cranial fossa, parts of the auricle, external auditory canal and external surface of tympanic membrane |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ganglion superius nervi vagi, ganglion jugulare |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.154 |
| TA2 | 6333 |
| FMA | 6229 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
