This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2009) |
Theceliac plexus,also known as thesolar plexusbecause of its radiating nerve fibers,[1]is acomplex network of nerveslocated in theabdomen,near where theceliac trunk,superior mesenteric artery,andrenal arteriesbranch from theabdominal aorta.It is behind thestomachand theomental bursa,and in front of thecruraof thediaphragm,on the level of the firstlumbar vertebra.
| Celiac plexus | |
|---|---|
 The rightsympathetic trunkand its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses. (Celiac plexus labelled at center right.) | |
 The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia. (Label for celiac plexus at top center.) | |
| Details | |
| From | Celiac branches of vagus nerve |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | plexus coeliacus |
| MeSH | D002447 |
| TA98 | A14.3.03.021 |
| TA2 | 6696 |
| FMA | 6630 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The plexus is formed in part by the greater and lessersplanchnic nervesof both sides, and fibers from theanteriorandposterior vagal trunks.
The celiac plexus proper consists of theceliac gangliawith a network of interconnecting fibers. Theaorticorenal gangliaare often considered to be part of the celiac ganglia, and thus, part of the plexus.
Structure
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The celiac plexus includes a number of smaller plexuses:
Other plexuses that are derived from the celiac plexus:
Terminology
editThe 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 is commonly called a blow "to the solar plexus". In this case it is not the celiac plexus itself being referred to, but rather the region around it.[citation needed]A blow to this region 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 theviscera.
Clinical significance
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A blunt injury to the celiac plexus normally resolves with rest and deep breathing.
A celiac plexus block by means offluoroscopicallyguided injection is sometimes used to treat intractable pain from cancers[2]such aspancreatic cancer.Such a block may be performed by pain management specialists and radiologists, withCT scansfor guidance.
Intractable pain related tochronic pancreatitismay be an indication for celiac plexus ablation.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Definition of SOLAR PLEXUS".merriam-webster.
- ^Garcia-Eroles X, Mayoral V, Montero A, Serra J, Porta J (2007). "Celiac plexus block: a new technique using the left lateral approach".The Clinical Journal of Pain.23(7): 635–7.doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e31812e6aa8.PMID17710015.
External links
edit- Anatomy photo:40:10-0101at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Celiac Plexus"
- figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM:Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
- The Solar Plexus: Abdominal Brain By Theron Q. Dumont