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what is mesenteric plexus

by Prof. Claudia Okuneva MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The Intermesenteric plexus is a nerve plexus on the abdominal aorta , between the exits of the superior and inferior mesenteric artery .

: either of two plexuses of the sympathetic nervous system lying mostly in the mesentery in close proximity to and distributed to the same structures as the corresponding mesenteric arteries: a : one associated with the inferior mesenteric artery.

Full Answer

What is the myenteric plexus?

The myenteric plexus (Auerbach plexus) is one of two principal components of the enteric nervous system. It is embedded in the walls of the digestive tract from the esophagus  and all the way to the rectum .

Where is the inferior mesenteric plexus located?

The inferior mesenteric plexus of the two sides are extensively interconnected and lie around the initial segment of the inferior mesenteric artery. The inferior mesenteric ganglion, also called the hypogastric ganglion ( Langworthy, 1965 ), is a spindle-shaped expansion along the main nerve trunk of the plexus.

What are the two plexuses of the digestive system?

This system is embedded in the walls of the digestive tract and includes two plexuses (myenteric and submucosal) as well as their associated ganglia . The myenteric plexus, also known as the Auerbach plexus, is a network of autonomic motor nerve fibers located in the muscular layers of digestive organs.

What nerves carry the fibers of the myenteric plexus?

The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the gastrointestinal tract and controls GI tract motility.

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Where is mesenteric plexus located?

The myenteric plexus, also known as Auerbach's plexus, is located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine.

Where is inferior mesenteric plexus?

The inferior mesenteric plexus belongs to the aortic plexus, which is located in front of the abdominal aorta and is responsible for the sympathetic innervation of mesenteric, pelvic, and urogenital organs. It is supplied directly by the left L2 lumbar splanchnic nerve.

Is superior mesenteric plexus sympathetic or parasympathetic?

Structure. The superior mesenteric ganglion is the synapsing point for one of the pre- and post-synaptic nerves of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

Where does the inferior mesenteric plexus come from?

The inferior mesenteric plexus is derived chiefly from the aortic plexus. Lower half of right sympathetic cord. (Inferior mesenteric plexus labeled at center right.) The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.

What is a plexus?

A plexus is a bundle of intersecting nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels in the human body. These bundles typically originate from the same anatomical area and serve specific areas of the body. Bundles of nerves that form a plexus communicate information to your brain about pain, temperature, and pressure.

What does the myenteric plexus do?

The myenteric plexus is principally responsible for the peristaltic movement of the bowels. While it can act independently from the central nervous system, it receives innervation from the autonomic nervous system, connecting the central and enteric nervous systems.

What does the superior mesenteric plexus supply?

sympathetic nervous system …of the small intestine; the superior mesenteric ganglion innervates the small intestine; and the inferior mesenteric ganglion innervates the descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, urinary bladder, and sexual organs.

What is Meissner plexus?

In human nervous system: Enteric nervous system. …of neurons is called the Meissner, or submucosal, plexus. This plexus regulates the configuration of the luminal surface, controls glandular secretions, alters electrolyte and water transport, and regulates local blood flow.

What are the abdominal plexuses?

The autonomic plexuses of the abdomen are a collection of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve fibers that coalesce to innervate the viscera of the abdomen. The major autonomic plexuses of the abdomen are the celiac, superior mesenteric, intermesenteric, inferior mesenteric, and superior hypogastric plexuses.

What's a mesentery?

The mesentery is a fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall and holds it in place. Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph nodes in the mesentery.

What does the inferior mesenteric do?

The inferior mesenteric artery arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. It supplies the hindgut and has four major branches called left colic, sigmoid and superior rectal arteries. It also contributes to the formation of the marginal artery of Drummond.

What is SMAS disease?

Summary. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare condition that involves compression of the third portion of the duodenum which is the upper part of the small intestines just past the stomach.

What is the myenteric plexus?

The myenteric plexus from the rabbit. X 50. The myenteric plexus (or Auerbach's plexus) provides motor innervation to both layers of the muscular layer of the gut, having both parasympathetic and sympathe tic input (although present ganglion cell bodies belong to parasympathetic innervation, fibers from sympathetic innervation also reach ...

Where is the myenteric plexus located?

It is found in the muscles of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine.

What neurotransmitter is expressed in myenteric neurons?

Since many of the same neurotransmitters are found in the ENS as the brain, it follows that myenteric neurons can express receptors for both peptide and non-peptide (amines, amino acids, purines) neurotransmitters. Generally, expression of a receptor is limited to a subset of myenteric neurons, with probably the only exception being expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors on all myenteric neurons. One receptor that has been targeted for therapeutic reasons has been the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT 4) receptor. Activating this pre-synaptic receptor enhances cholinergic neurotransmission and can stimulate gastrointestinal motility.

Which plexus provides motor innervation to both layers of the muscular layer of the gut?

e. The myenteric plexus (or Auerbach's plexus) provides motor innervation to both layers of the muscular layer of the gut, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic input (although present ganglion cell bodies belong to parasympathetic innervation, fibers from sympathetic innervation also reach the plexus), whereas the submucous plexus has only ...

Which receptor is expressed in all myenteric neurons?

Generally, expression of a receptor is limited to a subset of myenteric neurons, with probably the only exception being expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors on all myenteric neurons. One receptor that has been targeted for therapeutic reasons has been the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT 4) receptor.

Which nerves carry the fibers of the GI tract?

The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the gastrointestinal tract and controls GI tract motility. According to preclinical studies, 30% of myenteric plexus' neurons are enteric sensory neurons, thus Auerbach's plexus has also a sensory component.

Where are the branches of the intermesenteric plexus?

Nerve branches from the intermesenteric plexus can be followed to the kidneys, the ovaries, and the uterus or the testis. The main branches from the inferior mesenteric plexus, apart from the hypogastric nerve, are directed to the periphery along the inferior mesenteric artery. View chapter Purchase book. Read full chapter.

Where is the plexus located?

The plexus lies in front of the upper part of the abdominal aorta. Its chief ganglia are the irregularly shaped celiac ganglia at the origin of the celiac trunk, each lying on the corresponding crus of the diaphragm. The inferolateral extensions of the ganglia are termed the aorticorenal ganglia.

What is the inferolateral extension of the ganglia?

The inferolateral extensions of the ganglia are termed the aorticorenal ganglia. The superior mesenteric ganglion (or ganglia) is usually fused with the celiac ganglia. Smaller ganglia, for example, phrenic and renal, are often found along the smaller subsidiary plexuses.

What is the plexus of the aorta?

In the abdomen, these are best considered as a single great plexus formed by the splanchnic nerves, branches of both vagus nerves, and masses of ganglion cells, with various parts named according to the arteries with which they are associated. The plexus lies in front of the upper part of the abdominal aorta. Its chief ganglia are the irregularly shaped celiac ganglia at the origin of the celiac trunk, each lying on the corresponding crus of the diaphragm. The inferolateral extensions of the ganglia are termed the aorticorenal ganglia. The superior mesenteric ganglion (or ganglia) is usually fused with the celiac ganglia. Smaller ganglia, for example, phrenic and renal, are often found along the smaller subsidiary plexuses.

How many poles does the celiac ganglion have?

The celiac ganglion has two major poles, each about 20–25 mm by 10–15 mm, and about 3–5 mm thick, which lie either side of the celiac nerve trunk ( Mitchell, 1953a ). Together they contain about 1 800 000 nerve cell bodies ( Botar, 1966 ). Bilaterally, distinct aorticorenal ganglia (interrenal ganglia) can occur.

What is the prevertebral ganglia?

Prevertebral Ganglia. The prevertebral ganglia constitute the abdominal plexus, a large assembly of ganglia and nerve trunk s lying close to the abdominal aorta and its main branches ( Fig. 4 ). Blood vessels are the chief guide to the identification of prevertebral ganglia.

What is the name of the ganglion that runs along the terminal part of the major splanchnic nerve

Along the terminal part of the major splanchnic nerve, shortly before the celiac ganglion, there is a small ganglion called the suprarenal ganglion ( Baljet and Drukker, 1979 ). Innumerable nerve trunks contribute to, and issue from, the celiac plexus.

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Overview

The myenteric plexus (or Auerbach's plexus) provides motor innervation to both layers of the muscular layer of the gut, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic input (although present ganglion cell bodies belong to parasympathetic innervation, fibers from sympathetic innervation also reach the plexus), whereas the submucous plexus has only parasympathetic fibers and p…

Structure

A part of the enteric nervous system, the myenteric plexus exists between the longitudinal and circular layers of muscularis externa in the gastrointestinal tract. It is found in the muscles of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine.
The ganglia have properties similar to the central nervous system (CNS). These properties include presence of glia, interneurons, a small extracellular space, dense synaptic neuropil, isolation fro…

Function

The myenteric plexus functions as a part of the enteric nervous system (digestive system). The enteric nervous system can and does function autonomously, but normal digestive function requires communication links between this intrinsic system and the central nervous system. The ENS contains sensory receptors, primary afferent neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. The events that are controlled, at least in part, by the ENS are multiple and include motor activity, sec…

Clinical significance

Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital disorder of the colon in which nerve cells of the myenteric plexus in its walls, also known as ganglion cells, are absent. Hirschsprung's disease is a form of functional low bowel obstruction due to failure of caudal migration of neuroblasts within developing bowel – this results in an absence of parasympathetic intrinsic ganglion cells in both Auerbach's and Meissner's plexuses. The distal large bowel from the point of neuronal arrest to t…

History

Leopold Auerbach, a neuropathologist, was one of the first to further research the nervous system using histological staining methods.

External links

• Slide at ucla.edu
• Histology image: 49_09 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
• Histology image: 21703loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• MedicalMnemonics.com: 885

1.Mesenteric plexus Definition & Meaning | Merriam …

Url:https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/mesenteric%20plexus

8 hours ago  · Medical Definition of mesenteric plexus : either of two plexuses of the sympathetic nervous system lying mostly in the mesentery in close proximity to and distributed to the same structures as the corresponding mesenteric arteries: a : one associated with the inferior mesenteric artery.

2.Myenteric plexus - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myenteric_plexus

27 hours ago Medical Definition of mesenteric plexus. : either of two plexuses of the sympathetic nervous system lying mostly in the mesentery in close proximity to and distributed to the same structures as the corresponding mesenteric arteries: a : one associated with the inferior mesenteric artery. — called also inferior mesenteric plexus.

3.Mesenteric plexus | definition of mesenteric ... - Medical …

Url:https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/mesenteric+plexus

35 hours ago  · The myenteric plexus, also known as the Auerbach plexus, is a network of autonomic motor nerve fibers located in the muscular layers of digestive organs. Its main function is to supply motor innervation to the muscular coat (muscularis externa) of hollow organs of the alimentary canal in order to maintain movements of the gastrointestinal tract …

4.Inferior Mesenteric Plexus - an overview | ScienceDirect …

Url:https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/inferior-mesenteric-plexus

13 hours ago mesenteric plexus. The superior or the inferior mesenteric plexus. See also: plexus. Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about …

5.Mesenteric plexus - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesenteric_plexus

6 hours ago The inferior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the aortic plexus along the inferior mesenteric plexus. It contains one or more inferior mesenteric ganglia and it forms the superior rectal plexus, which supplies the rectum with sympathetic and sensory fibers.

6.Mesenteric plexus - definition of mesenteric plexus by …

Url:https://www.thefreedictionary.com/mesenteric+plexus

15 hours ago Mesenteric plexus. Mesenteric plexus may refer to: Superior mesenteric plexus. Intermesenteric plexus. Inferior mesenteric plexus. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Mesenteric plexus. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

7.Mesenteric plexus, superior | definition of ... - Medical …

Url:https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/mesenteric+plexus%2c+superior

2 hours ago Define mesenteric plexus. mesenteric plexus synonyms, mesenteric plexus pronunciation, mesenteric plexus translation, English dictionary definition of mesenteric plexus. Noun 1. mesenteric plexus - a plexus of autonomic nerves plexus mesentericus nerve plexus - a network of intersecting nerves Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex...

8.Mesenteric Panniculitis: Symptoms, Causes, and …

Url:https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-is-mesenteric-panniculitis

29 hours ago A network of interlaced nerves or vessels. See Brachial plexus, Cervical plexus, Hemorrhoidal plexus, Lumbar plexus, Myenteric plexus, Sacral plexus, Submucous plexus. McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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