NBCE Practice Test Prep – National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Study Guide & Practice Exam

The syndrome characterized by injury to the cervical sympathetic trunk, which results in symptoms such as ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) and miosis (constricted pupil), is known as Horner syndrome. This condition typically arises due to interruption of sympathetic nerve pathways that supply the eye and surrounding structures.

In Horner syndrome, the disruption of these sympathetic fibers can be caused by various conditions, including tumors in the neck or upper chest, trauma, or neurological diseases. As a result, affected individuals may present with the classic signs of ptosis and miosis, as well as facial anhidrosis (lack of sweating) on the involved side due to disrupted innervation. The identification of these signs is crucial for clinicians, as they can indicate an underlying pathology that may require further investigation and management.