ANATOMY OF THE SYMPATHETIC PATHWAYS IN THE CAVERNOUS SINUS

We studied sympathetic fibres in the cavernous sinus in 40 unfixed spe cimens obtained from human cadavers. Sympathetic fibres in the caverno us sinus are understood to be grouped in a plexiform configuration sur rounding the internal carotid artery and have a diffuse distribution a mong the sympathetic nerves. Our study, however, suggests that a more systematic arrangement of sympathetic pathways exists in the cavernous sinus. A detailed anatomical description of intracavernous sympatheti c fibres contributes to academic anatomical knowledge and may have pra ctical applications for 1. diagnostic interpretation of pathologic con ditions involving the cavernous sinus, 2. recognition and orientation oi anatomical structures during intracavernous surgical procedures, an d 3. a deeper understanding of the sympathetic nerve supply to cerebra l vasculature.