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The paravertebral ganglia are a group of nerve cell clusters located along the vertebral column on each side of the body. They form the sympathetic chain, a crucial part of the sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the body's "fight-or-flight" response to stress.123

These ganglia are divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, with specific ganglia innervating different parts of the body. For example, the cervical ganglia serve the head and neck, while thoracic ganglia supply the chest and upper limbs. Paravertebral ganglia also provide sympathetic innervation to blood vessels, sweat glands, and muscles attached to hairs.1

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