Abstract: Objective To study the neural connections between cervical sympathetic ganglia and cervical spinal ganglia, and explore the neuroanatomical basis of the pathogenesis of cervical vertigo. Methods New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into superior, inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia and control groups. Fluoro-gold (FG) or normal saline was injected into the superior or inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia. At 4 or 8 days after injection, the bilateral spinal ganglia were removed, cryo-sectioned and observed under a fluorescence microscope. Results FG labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral CSUB>2/SUB> -CSUB>5/SUB> spinal ganglia and more FG labeled neurons were observed in CSUB>3/SUB> and CSUB>4/SUB> spinal ganglia in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia group. In the inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia group, there were FG labeled neurons in the CSUB>5/SUB> -CSUB>8/SUB> spinal ganglia and more FG labeled neurons were found in CSUB>6/SUB> and CSUB>7/SUB> spinal ganglia. Conclusion Neural reflex arch between cervical spinal and cervical sympathetic ganglia was found, which may provide an important neuroanatomical basis for the cervical vertigo.

Key words: Spinal ganglion, Superior cervical ganglion, Inferior cervical ganglion, Fluoro-gold, Cervical vertigo, Reflex arc, Retrograde labeling, New Zealand rabbit