The anatomical structure of the stellate ganglion in the European badger (Meles meles)

The stellate ganglion belongs to the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. It responds to signals from the brain to the organs in the chest, including the heart, whose function it regulates. In this study, an analysis of the normal anatomy of the stellate ganglion in the European badger was presented. The research involved 6 male specimens, 3 female specimens, and 1 specimen with undetermined sex. Dissection was performed to remove the skin and muscles of the thorax, as well as parts of the ribs and lungs. The shape, topographical location, dimensions, and the ganglia constituting the structure of interest were analyzed. The results were compared with studies conducted on other animal species. However, these studies are preliminary and require further expansion with a larger group of specimens. They provide a basis for further development of the normal and comparative anatomy of the European badger.