The internal carotid plexus (carotid plexus) is situated on the lateral side of the internal carotid artery, and in the plexus there occasionally exists a small gangliform swelling, the carotid ganglion, on the under surface of the artery.
Postganglionic sympathetic fibres ascend from the superior cervical ganglion, along the walls of the internal carotid artery, to enter the internal carotid plexus. These fibres then distribute to deep structures, which include the levator palpebrae superioris and pupillary dilator muscles.[1] Some of the fibres from the internal carotid plexus converge to form the deep petrosal nerve.[2]
Nerves of the orbit, and the ciliary ganglion. Side view.
Pathways in the Ciliary Ganglion.
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
