Evidence of microscopic clusters of neuronal cell bodies along the spinal accessory nerve

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Our objective was to examine the accessory nerve for the presence of microscopic clusters of sensory neuronal cell bodies. This study was prompted by recent articles which show a few cases of a grossly visible ganglion along a communication between the spinal accessory nerve and the C1 spinal nerve. Our research has not found any studies that have indicated previous findings of microscopic clusters of neuronal cell bodies. We dissected the upper cervical spinal cord, nerve roots, and accessory nerve out of embalmed cadavers. The accessory nerve was separated from the rest of the tissue and serially sectioned. Histological examination of the cervical contribution of the accessory nerve consistently shows clusters of neuronal cell bodies along it, thus constituting a ganglion, although not grossly discernable. Funding is provided by the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Graduate Program.Grant Funding SourceKirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Graduate Program