Superior mesenteric plexus

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Nerve: Superior mesenteric plexus

The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.
Latin	plexus mesentericus superior
Gray's	subject #220 987
Dorlands/Elsevier	p_24/12648134

The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the lower part of the celiac plexus, receiving a branch from the junction of the right vagus nerve with the plexus.

It surrounds the superior mesenteric artery, accompanies it into the mesentery, and divides into a number of secondary plexuses, which are distributed to all the parts supplied by the artery, viz., pancreatic branches to the pancreas; intestinal branches to the small intestine; and ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic branches, which supply the corresponding parts of the great intestine.

The nerves composing this plexus are white in color and firm in texture; in the upper part of the plexus close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery is a ganglion (ganglion mesentericum superius).

[edit] Additional images

The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses.

Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system.

Lower half of right sympathetic cord.

[edit] External links

Human anatomy at Dartmouth figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.