Celiac Plexus - Wikipedia

Complex network of nerves located in the upper abdomen "Solar plexus" redirects here. For other uses, see Solar Plexus (disambiguation).

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Solar plexus
The right sympathetic trunk and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Celiac plexus (labelled as Cœliac plexus) at center right.)
The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia. (Label for celiac plexus at top center.)
Details
From	Celiac branches of vagus nerve
Identifiers
Latin	plexus coeliacus
MeSH	D002447
TA98	A14.3.03.021
TA2	6696
FMA	6630
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy[edit on Wikidata]

The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers,[1] is a complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near 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.

Structure

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The celiac plexus includes a number of smaller plexuses:

• 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

Terminology

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The celiac plexus is often popularly referred to as the "solar plexus". In the context of sparring or injury, a strike to the region of the stomach around the celiac plexus may cause the diaphragm to spasm, resulting in difficulty in breathing—a sensation commonly known as "getting the wind knocked out of you". It may also affect the celiac plexus itself, which can cause great pain and interfere with the functioning of the viscera.

Clinical significance

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A blunt injury to the celiac plexus normally resolves with rest and deep breathing.

Intractable pain related to chronic pancreatitis may be an indication for celiac plexus ablation.

A celiac plexus block to treat intractable pain from cancers such as pancreatic cancer[2] may be performed by pain management specialists and radiologists using a fluoroscopically or CT scan-guided injection.

See also

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• Cardiac plexus
• Celiac ganglia
• Superior hypogastric plexus
• Manipura

References

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1. ^ "Definition of SOLAR PLEXUS". www.merriam-webster.com.
2. ^ 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

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• 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
• The Solar Plexus: Abdominal Brain By Theron Q. Dumont

v t e Anatomy of the autonomic nervous system
Head	Sympathetic Cervical ganglia: roots long ciliary Deep petrosal Parasympathetic 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 Submandibular ganglion Otic ganglion
Neck	Sympathetic paravertebral ganglia: Cervical ganglia Superior Middle Inferior Stellate ganglion prevertebral plexus: Cavernous plexus Internal carotid
Thorax	Sympathetic paravertebral ganglia: Thoracic ganglia prevertebral plexus: Cardiac plexus Esophageal plexus Pulmonary plexus Thoracic aortic plexus splanchnic nerves: cardiopulmonary thoracic cardiac nerves: Superior Middle Inferior
Abdomen	Sympathetic 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 Iliac plexus Superior mesenteric Gastric Inferior mesenteric Spermatic Ovarian Superior hypogastric hypogastric nerve Superior rectal Inferior hypogastric Vesical Prostatic / Cavernous nerves of penis Uterovaginal Middle rectal splanchnic nerves: Lumbar splanchnic nerves Enteric Submucous plexus Myenteric plexus
Pelvis	Sympathetic paravertebral ganglia: Sacral ganglia Ganglion impar splanchnic nerves: Sacral splanchnic nerves Parasympathetic splanchnic nerves: Pelvic splanchnic nerves
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