Origins of substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerves in the internal carotid artery of rat

An aggregation of substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerve cells (internal carotid mini-ganglion) is described at the junction between the greater superficial petrosal nerve and the internal carotid nerve close to the internal carotid artery. A retrograde tracer dye technique demonstrates that this ganglion and the trigeminal and superior vagal ganglia supply the internal carotid artery with SP/CGRP fibers at, above and below this level, respectively. Implications of this finding for cranial painful syndromes in man are discussed.