Abdominal Plexuses Flashcards

Explore the major abdominal autonomic plexuses, their nerve contributions, anatomical relationships, and visceral innervation.

Card 1 of 28Question

What are the abdominal autonomic plexuses?

Networks of autonomic nerve fibers and ganglia that distribute sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation to abdominal viscera.

In This Section

1. What are the abdominal autonomic plexuses?

Networks of autonomic nerve fibers and ganglia that distribute sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation to abdominal viscera.

2. What are the three major unpaired prevertebral autonomic plexuses associated with the abdominal aorta?

The celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric plexuses.

3. Where is the celiac plexus located?

Around the origin of the celiac trunk near the upper abdominal aorta.

4. What is another name for the celiac plexus?

The solar plexus.

5. Which major organs receive autonomic fibers through the celiac plexus and its branches?

The stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and proximal duodenum.

6. Which thoracic splanchnic nerves provide the main sympathetic input to the celiac plexus?

The greater thoracic splanchnic nerves, with contributions from the lesser thoracic splanchnic nerves.

7. Which cranial nerve provides parasympathetic fibers to the celiac plexus?

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).

8. Which paired prevertebral ganglia are closely associated with the celiac trunk?

The right and left celiac ganglia.

9. Where do preganglionic sympathetic fibers supplying abdominal viscera typically synapse?

In prevertebral ganglia, including the celiac and mesenteric ganglia.

10. Where do parasympathetic preganglionic fibers supplying abdominal viscera typically synapse?

In terminal or intramural ganglia near or within the walls of target organs.

11. Where is the superior mesenteric plexus located?

Around the origin and branches of the superior mesenteric artery.

12. Which gastrointestinal region is primarily supplied through the superior mesenteric plexus?

The midgut, from the distal duodenum to the proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon.

13. Which prevertebral ganglion is associated with the superior mesenteric plexus?

The superior mesenteric ganglion.

14. Where is the inferior mesenteric plexus located?

Around the origin and branches of the inferior mesenteric artery.

15. Which part of the gastrointestinal tract receives autonomic fibers through the inferior mesenteric plexus?

The distal third of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and upper rectum.

16. Which nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the hindgut?

The pelvic splanchnic nerves arising from spinal cord segments S2 to S4.

17. What are the lumbar splanchnic nerves?

Nerves carrying primarily preganglionic sympathetic fibers from lumbar sympathetic trunks to abdominal and pelvic autonomic plexuses.

18. Where is the intermesenteric plexus located?

Along the abdominal aorta between the origins of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries.

19. Which autonomic plexus surrounds the renal arteries?

The renal plexus.

20. Which thoracic splanchnic nerve commonly contributes sympathetic fibers to the renal plexus?

The least thoracic splanchnic nerve, usually arising from T12.

21. Which autonomic plexus accompanies the testicular or ovarian vessels?

The gonadal plexus, also called the testicular or ovarian plexus.

22. Where is the superior hypogastric plexus located?

Anterior to the lower lumbar vertebrae and sacral promontory, near the aortic bifurcation.

23. What structures connect the superior hypogastric plexus to the inferior hypogastric plexuses?

The right and left hypogastric nerves.

24. How do autonomic nerve fibers commonly reach abdominal organs from the prevertebral plexuses?

They travel along branches of abdominal arteries as periarterial nerve plexuses.

25. Which autonomic fibers generally decrease gastrointestinal motility and secretion?

Sympathetic fibers.

26. Which autonomic fibers generally increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion?

Parasympathetic fibers.

27. Which visceral afferent fibers typically accompany sympathetic pathways from abdominal organs?

Visceral pain afferent fibers, particularly those from the foregut and midgut.

28. What is a celiac plexus block used for clinically?

Relieving severe upper abdominal visceral pain, particularly pain associated with pancreatic cancer.