| Abstract: | The reason to consider the second thoracic cerebrospinal nerve (Th2) as one of the sources of the brachial plexus is the fact of the intersegmentary connection between Th1 and Th2 by means of a neural branch situating on the internal surface of the thorax near the vertebral column (the intrathoracic or paravertebral branch). However, not all cases of the intersegmentary connection Th1-Th2 should be regarded only as participation of Th2 in the formation of the brachial plexus, this is conditioned by certain peculiarities of its structure and by the character of interconnections with the I intercostal nerve. The macro-microscopic method demonstrates that the intersegmentary connection Th1-Th2 includes somatic and vegetative components, that to the same extent participate both in formation of the brachial plexus and in the I intercostal nerve. The intersegmentary connection Th1-Th2 is considered as a vegetative neural structure, containing somatic conductors and is considered as a homologue of superficial connective branches. It is the way, by which sympathetic fibers can reach the brachial plexus from the segment situating below, without passing through the superior thoracic nodes of the sympathetic trunk. |
