title: Lumbar sympathetic chain: anatomical variation and clinical perspectives.
abstract: The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems constitute the autonomic nervous system which controls the entropy of the body and maintain the equilibrium. The sympathetic chain forms a definitive anatomic entity which is quite variable with respect to its position and the number of ganglia. The sympathetic nervous system causes vasoconstriction and thus forms the basis of Lumbar sympathetic surgeries being performed in patients with peripheral vascular diseases. The anatomic variations in this region hence gains immense importance for the operating surgeons and consulting radiologists. In the present study, the rami communicantes of either side of lumbar sympathetic chain crossed the common iliac arteries from lateral to medial side and united in front of first piece of sacrum. These rami communicantes encircled the right gonadal artery and could be a threat to the gonadal vascularity causing infertility. This was an unusual feature of the lumbar sympathetic chain and its rami communicantes that were noted in this particular case.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Shridev Suman Subharti Medical College, Dehradun.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy,AIIMS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Anatomy,AIIMS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy,AIIMS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaler
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy,AIIMS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rani
mesh_terms: D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D013127:Spinal Nerves
keywords: Autonomic Nervous System; Ganglion; Gonadal Artery; Lumbar Sympathetic Chain; Lumbar Sympathetic Rami