"Solar plexus" redirects here. For the solar plexus chakra in mysticism and Hinduism, see Manipura. For the compilation album, see Solar Plexus (Mavin Records album).
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Nerve: Celiac plexus |
The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Label for celiac plexus at center right.)
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The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia. (Label for celiac plexus at top center.)
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Latin |
plexus coeliacus |
Gray's |
p.985 |
From |
celiac branches of vagus nerve |
MeSH |
Celiac+Plexus |
The celiac plexus or coeliac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers,[1] is a complex network of nerves (a nerve plexus) located in the abdomen, where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta. It is behind the stomach and the omental bursa, and in front of the crura of the diaphragm, on the level of the first lumbar vertebra.
The plexus is formed (in part) by the greater and lesser splanchnic nerves of both sides, and fibers from the anterior and posterior vagal trunks.
The celiac plexus proper consists of the celiac ganglia with a network of interconnecting fibers. The aorticorenal ganglia are often considered to be part of the celiac ganglia, and thus, part of the plexus.
Contents
- 1 Related plexuses
- 2 Clinical significance
- 3 See also
- 4 References
- 5 External links
Related plexuses
Approximate location of the celiac plexus on the coronal plane
The celiac plexus includes a number of smaller plexi:
- Hepatic plexus
- Splenic plexus
- Gastric plexus
- Pancreatic plexus
- Suprarenal plexus
Other plexuses that are derived from the celiac plexus:
- Renal plexus
- Testicular plexus / ovarian plexus
- Superior mesenteric plexus
- Inferior mesenteric plexus
Clinical significance
Lower half of right sympathetic cord
The celiac plexus is often popularly referred to as the solar plexus, generally in the context of a blow to the stomach. In many of these cases, it is not the celiac plexus itself being referred to, but rather the region where it is located. A blow to the stomach can upset this region. This can cause the diaphragm to spasm, resulting in difficulty in breathing—a sensation commonly known as "getting the wind knocked out of you". A blow to this region can also affect the celiac plexus itself, possibly interfering with the functioning of the viscera, as well as causing great pain.
A celiac plexus block by means of fluoroscopically guided injection is sometimes used to treat intractable pain from cancers[2] such as pancreatic cancer. Frequently, celiac plexus block is performed by pain management specialists and radiologists, with CT scans for guidance. Intractable pain related to chronic pancreatitis is an important indication for celiac plexus ablation.
See also
- Cardiac plexus
- Hypogastric plexus
- Celiac ganglia
References
- ^ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar+plexus.
- ^ Garcia-Eroles X, Mayoral V, Montero A, Serra J, Porta J (2007). "Celiac plexus block: a new technique using the left lateral approach". The Clinical journal of pain 23 (7): 635–7. doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e31812e6aa8. PMID 17710015.
External links
- Anatomy photo:40:10-0101 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Celiac Plexus"
- figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM - Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
- celiac+plexus at eMedicine Dictionary
- The Solar Plexus: Abdominal Brain By Theron Q. Dumont
Nerves – autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nervous system/ganglion/trunks and parasympathetic nervous system/ganglion) (TA A14.3, GA 9.968)
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Head/
cranial |
Sympathetic
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- Ciliary ganglion: roots
- Short ciliary
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Parasympathetic
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- Ciliary ganglion: roots
- Short ciliary
- Pterygopalatine ganglion: deep petrosal
- nerve of pterygoid canal
- branches of distribution: greater palatine
- inferior posterior nasal branches
- lesser palatine
- nasopalatine
- medial superior posterior nasal branches
- pharyngeal
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Neck/
cervical |
Sympathetic
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- paravertebral ganglia: Cervical ganglia
- Stellate ganglion
- prevertebral plexus: Cavernous plexus
- Internal carotid
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Chest/
thorax |
Sympathetic
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- paravertebral ganglia: Thoracic ganglia
- prevertebral plexus: Cardiac plexus
- Esophageal plexus
- Pulmonary plexus
- Thoracic aortic plexus
- splanchnic nerves: cardiopulmonary
- thoracic
- cardiac nerves: Superior
- Middle
- Inferior
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Abdomen/
Lumbar |
Sympathetic
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- paravertebral ganglia: Lumbar ganglia
- prevertebral ganglia:
- Celiac ganglia
- Aorticorenal
- Superior mesenteric ganglion
- Inferior mesenteric ganglion
- prevertebral plexus:
- Celiac plexus
- Hepatic
- Splenic
- Pancreatic
- aorticorenal
- Abdominal aortic plexus
- Renal/Suprarenal
- Superior mesenteric
- Inferior mesenteric
- Superior hypogastric
- hypogastric nerve
- Superior rectal
- Inferior hypogastric
- Vesical
- Prostatic / Cavernous nerves of penis
- Uterovaginal
- Middle rectal
- splanchnic nerves: Lumbar splanchnic nerves
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Enteric
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- Meissner's plexus
- Auerbach's plexus
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Pelvis/
sacral |
Sympathetic
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- paravertebral ganglia: Sacral ganglia
- Ganglion impar
- splanchnic nerves: Sacral splanchnic nerves
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Parasympathetic
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- splanchnic nerves: Pelvic splanchnic nerves
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anat (h/r/t/c/b/l/s/a)/phys (r)/devp/prot/nttr/nttm/ntrp
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noco/auto/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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