What are the anatomic plexuses of the thorax?

These include the esophageal, cardiac, and thoracic aortic plexuses. These are formed by contributions from the sympathetic trunk, thoracic splanchnic nerves, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and the vagus nerve.

Which autonomic plexus is control the activities of the visceral organs?

myenteric plexus
Neurons of the myenteric plexus in a section of the small intestine ( light micrograph 1200×). The general visceral sensory system continuously monitors the activities of the visceral organs so that the autonomic motor neurons can make adjustments as necessary to ensure optimal performance of visceral functions.

How many autonomic plexuses are there?

There are five spinal nerve plexuses—except in the thoracic region—as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system.

Where are the autonomic nerves found?

An autonomic nerve pathway involves two nerve cells. One cell is located in the brain stem or spinal cord. It is connected by nerve fibers to the other cell, which is located in a cluster of nerve cells (called an autonomic ganglion). Nerve fibers from these ganglia connect with internal organs.

What is the function of the thorax?

The thorax consists of the thoracic spine, the rib cage, and the sternum. The thorax is a fairly rigid structure whose function is to provide a stable base for muscles to control the craniocervical region and shoulder girdle, to protect internal organs, and to create a mechanical bellows for breathing.

Where is the thorax in humans?

The thorax is the region between the abdomen inferiorly and the root of the neck superiorly. [1][2] It forms from the thoracic wall, its superficial structures (breast, muscles, and skin) and the thoracic cavity.

Is sweating autonomic or somatic?

Examples of body processes controlled by the ANS include heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, salivation, perspiration, pupillary dilation, urination, and sexual arousal. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

What are the 3 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal. It contains three anatomically distinct divisions: sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric.

What are the 4 major plexuses?

Of the four major nerve plexuses (cervical, brachial, lumbar, and sacral), only the brachial plexus and sacral plexus can be assessed satisfactorily in the EDX laboratory.

Which autonomic plexus is the largest?

solar plexus
The solar plexus is the largest autonomic plexus and provides innervation to multiple abdominal and pelvic organs. The superior mesenteric plexus includes the superior mesenteric ganglia and is located around the superior mesenteric artery.

What is another name for the autonomic nervous system?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is also called the vegetative nervous system. It controls the involuntary functions and influences the activity of internal organs.

What happens if the autonomic nervous system is damaged?

Autonomic neuropathy occurs when the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions are damaged. It can affect blood pressure, temperature control, digestion, bladder function and even sexual function.

Where is the autonomic plexus located in the human body?

autonomic plexus: Any of the extensive networks of nerve fibers and cell bodies associated with the autonomic nervous system that are found in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, and that contain sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers.

Is the pulmonary plexus part of the sympathetic system?

The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. It supplies the bronchial tree and the visceral pleura. The esophageal plexus is formed by nerve fibers from two sources: the branches of the vagus nerve and the visceral branches of the sympathetic trunk.

Is the cardiac plexus the same as the esophageal plexu?

The esophageal plexus and the cardiac plexus contain the same types of fibers and are both considered thoracic autonomic plexus (es). The abdominal aortic plexus is formed by branches derived, on either side, from the celiac plexus and ganglia, and receives filaments from some of the lumbar ganglia.

How many nerve plexus are there in the body?

Nerve plexus. A nerve plexus is composed of afferent and efferent fibers that arise from the merging of the anterior rami of spinal nerves and blood vessels. There are five spinal nerve plexuses, except in the thoracic region, as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system.