An Anatomical Study of the Cranial Cervical Ganglion of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The cranial cervical ganglion (CCG) of six adult dromedary camels of both sexes were dissected to investigate the weight, position and topography. The ganglion was located ventral to the atlas and dorsal to the pharynx on the rostrolateral surface of the longus capitis muscle. The cranial cervical ganglion was triangular or fusiform in shape and white in colour. The main branches of the cranial cervical ganglion were included in the internal and external carotid nerves in addition to the jugular nerve. It weighed about 0.5 g. The average length, width and thickness (Mean ± SE) of the right CCG were 16.33± 1.41 mm, 7.0± 1.03 mm and 3.03± 0.54 mm, respectively, whereas the left CCG had an average length, width and thickness of 16.65± 1.21 mm, 7.21±0.82 mm and 3.21± 0.37 respectively. In conclusion, the cranial cervical ganglion in dromedary camels were well developed structure. The number and course of the nerves ramifying from the ganglion, especially internal carotid nerves, were observed different than other species