Identify and clean the structures associated with the prevertebral fascia.

1. (ON BOTH SIDES) Start at the midline (the sagittal saw cut) and blunt dissect the loose connective tissue away from the prevertebral fascia located posterior to the common carotid artery. Identify the sympathetic trunk. (G 8.23B;N 131;Gl 44.32) Trace the sympathetic trunk in the superior direction and identify the superior cervical ganglion. (G 8.23B;N 131;Gl 44.32) Trace the sympathetic trunk in the inferior direction and identify the inferior cervical (stellate) ganglion (near the subclavian artery). In some cadavers it is easier to view the inferior cervical ganglion from the inferior (thoracic) direction, especially when it fuses with the T1 sympathetic ganglion forming a stellate ganglion. (G 8.24;N 131;Gl 44.32)
   Important Relationships

   • The sympathetic trunk is positioned directly anterior to the prevertebral muscles and directly posterior to the carotid sheath.
2. (ON BOTH SIDES) Remove the prevertebral fascia and Identify the anterior longitudinal ligament, longus colli muscle and longus capitis muscle. (G 8.23A;N 30 and 22;Gl 2.28 and 45.7B)
3. (ON THE LEFT SIDE ONLY) Return to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Blunt dissect between the anterior and middle scalene muscles and identify anterior (ventral) rami C3-C6. (G 8.23B;N 71;Gl 45.15) Trace the suprascapular nerve back to the upper trunk to identify ventral ramus C5. Likewise, trace the great auricular nerve back to ventral ramus (C2 &) C3. Attempt to identify gray rami passing from the sympathetic trunk to the anterior rami. (G 8.24;N 131)
4. (ON THE SIDE WITHOUT THE BRAIN) Peel back the dura, and examine the midline structures at the base of the skull. (G 1.11A; N 23; Gl 2.28) Identify the anterior arch of the atlas, the dens of the axis, the transverse (cruciate) ligament, and the tectorial membrane. (G 1.11; N 23; Gl 2.23) If possible, displace the dens and attempt to identify the alar ligament.