Corpus: Middle cervical cardiac nerve

The great cardiac nerve is the strongest of the three sympathetic cardiac nerves. It arises from the middle cervical ganglion.

The course of the great cardiac nerve is specific to each side of the neck.

On the right side of the neck, the nerve descends behind the right common carotid artery. During its cervical course, it communicates with the superior cardiac nerve. As it transitions to the thorax, it runs either in front of or behind the subclavian artery. It then follows the trachea, receiving some fibers from the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and finally integrates into the deep part of the cardiac plexus on the right side.

On the left side of the body, the great cardiac nerve also communicates with the superior cardiac nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It enters the chest cavity between the left common carotid artery and the subclavian artery, and integrates into the deep part of the cardiac plexus on the left side.