Celiac plexus
Complex network of nerves located in the upper abdomen
The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, 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.
01Structure
The celiac plexus includes a number of smaller plexuses:
Other plexuses that are derived from the celiac plexus:
02Terminology
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.
03Clinical significance
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 may be performed by pain management specialists and radiologists using a fluoroscopically or CT scan-guided injection.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Celiac plexus”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Gray838.png by Henry Vandyke Carter, Public domain
- Celiac plexus coronal.png by This image was improved or created by the Wikigraphists of the Graphic Lab (fr). You can propose images to clean up, improve, create or translate as well., Public domain
- Gray849.png by Henry Vandyke Carter, Public domain
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