Corpus: Ansa subclavia
Synonym: Vieussen loop, subclavian loop
1. Definition
The ansa subclavia is a nerve loop that winds around the subclavian artery. It connects the middle cervical ganglion with the inferior cervical ganglion, which is often fused with the first thoracic ganglion to form the stellate ganglion.
2. Anatomy
The ansa subclavia lies anteromedial to the vertebral artery. Occasionally, the ansa subclavia consists of two fibre tracts that initially run in front of and behind the vertebral artery.