A stellate ganglion block is performed by injecting local anaesthetic around the cervical sympathetic chain. The bony landmark palpated to guide the needle is the anterior tubercle of the transverse process of C6, known as:

• A Luschka's tubercle
• B Chassaignac's tubercle ✓
• C Carotid body
• D Vertebra prominens

Explanation

The prominent anterior tubercle of the C6 transverse process, Chassaignac's tubercle, is palpable at the level of the cricoid cartilage and serves as the landmark for stellate ganglion block; the ganglion itself lies at C7-T1 but is approached against C6 to stay clear of the vertebral artery. The vertebra prominens is the C7 spinous process, a posterior midline structure irrelevant to this anterior approach.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.