celiac plexus

Introduction

The largest, superior portion of the abdominal aortic plexus.

Function

• most sympathetic, parasympathetic & visceral afferent fibers innervating the abdominal viscera pass through this plexus.

Structure

• it lies anterior to the aorta at the level of the celiac trunk (T12).
• the celiac ganglia lie within the plexus.

Origin

• it is formed from projections of the greater splanchnic nerve & vagus nerve & communicating branches to & from the superior mesenteric plexus & renal plexus & superior mesenteric ganglia & renal ganglia.

More general terms

• abdominal aortic plexus

Additional terms

• renal plexus
• superior mesenteric plexus