The jugular nerve: A review of this enigmatic structure

M Mathkour; C Werner; T Decater; J Iwanaga; R S Tubbs

doi:10.1016/j.morpho.2020.12.012

The jugular nerve: A review of this enigmatic structure

Morphologie. 2022 Feb;106(352):4-7. doi: 10.1016/j.morpho.2020.12.012. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Authors

M Mathkour¹, C Werner², T Decater³, J Iwanaga⁴, R S Tubbs⁵

Affiliations

¹ Tulane University & Ochsner Clinic Neurosurgery Program, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Neurosurgery Division, Surgery Department, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 S. Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
³ Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 S. Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA. Electronic address: iwanagajoeca@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 S. Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada; Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.

PMID: 33485782
DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2020.12.012

Abstract

The jugular nerve (JN) is described as joining the superior cervical ganglion to the vagus nerve. It has been studied extensively in many different animal species; however, there is very limited literature about humans. This review delves into various descriptions of this nerve's anatomy and animal studies aimed at deciphering its function. The goal is to shed more light on this understudied structure in humans.

Keywords: Cadaver; Glossopharyngeal nerve; Jugular nerve; Skull base; Superior cervical ganglion; Sympathetic nervous system; Vagus nerve.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Glossopharyngeal Nerve*
Humans
Superior Cervical Ganglion*
Vagus Nerve