Superior mesenteric plexus

Superior mesenteric plexus
The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.
Details
From	Celiac plexus
Identifiers
Latin	plexus mesentericus superior
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the lower part of the celiac plexus, receiving a branch from the junction of the right vagus nerve with the plexus.

It surrounds the superior mesenteric artery, accompanies it into the mesentery, and divides into a number of secondary plexuses, which are distributed to all the parts supplied by the artery, viz., pancreatic branches to the pancreas; intestinal branches to the small intestine; and ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic branches, which supply the corresponding parts of the great intestine.

The nerves composing this plexus are white in color and firm in texture; in the upper part of the plexus close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery is the superior mesenteric ganglion.

Additional images

• 
  The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses.
• 
  Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system.
• 
  Lower half of right sympathetic cord.

See also

• Inferior mesenteric plexus

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School