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Celiac plexus facts for kids

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Celiac plexus
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The right sympathetic trunk and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Celiac plexus labelled 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.)
Latin plexus coeliacus

The celiac plexus or coeliac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a complex network of nerves (a nerve plexus) 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

Celiac plexus coronal
Approximate location of the celiac plexus on the coronal plane

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Plexo solar para niños

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