Pulmonary plexus

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Pulmonary plexus
Details
Identifiers
Latin plexus pulmonalis
TA98 A14.2.01.172
A14.3.03.016
TA2 6691
FMA 6629
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. The plexus is in continuity with the deep cardiac plexus.

Contents

Structure

It innervates the bronchial tree and the visceral pleura. According to the relation of nerves to the root of the lung, the pulmonary plexus is divided into the anterior pulmonary plexus, which lies in front of the lung and the posterior pulmonary plexus, which lies behind the lung. The anterior pulmonary plexus is close in proximity to the pulmonary artery. [1] The posterior pulmonary plexus is bounded by the superior edge of the pulmonary artery and the lower edge of the pulmonary vein. [1] Both lungs are innervated primarily by the posterior pulmonary plexus; it accounts for 74–77% of the total innervation. [1]

Function

Innervation of the bronchial tree regulates contraction of bronchial smooth muscles, mucous secretions from submucosal glands, vascular permeability, and blood flow. [2] Sensory fiber innervation of the visceral pleura is thought to allow stretch detection. [3] [4] [5]

Related Research Articles

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The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that carries sensory fibers that create a pathway that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right vagus nerves—but they are typically referred to collectively as a single subsystem. The vagus is the longest nerve of the autonomic nervous system in the human body and comprises both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory fibers originate from neurons of the nodose ganglion, whereas the motor fibers come from neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the nucleus ambiguus. The vagus was also historically called the pneumogastric nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleural cavity</span> Thin fluid-filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae (visceral and parietal) of each lung

The pleural cavity, pleural space, or interpleural space is the potential space between the pleurae of the pleural sac that surrounds each lung. A small amount of serous pleural fluid is maintained in the pleural cavity to enable lubrication between the membranes, and also to create a pressure gradient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial nerve</span> Cranial nerve VII, for the face and tasting

The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerve typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI and anterior to cranial nerve VIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radial nerve</span> Nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb

The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb. It innervates the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle of the arm, as well as all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial compartment of the forearm and the associated joints and overlying skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axillary nerve</span> Nerve of the human body near the armpit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossopharyngeal nerve</span> Cranial nerve IX, for the tongue and pharynx

The glossopharyngeal nerve, also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior to the vagus nerve. Being a mixed nerve (sensorimotor), it carries afferent sensory and efferent motor information. The motor division of the glossopharyngeal nerve is derived from the basal plate of the embryonic medulla oblongata, whereas the sensory division originates from the cranial neural crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phrenic nerve</span> Nerve controlling the diaphragm

The phrenic nerve is a mixed motor/sensory nerve that originates from the C3-C5 spinal nerves in the neck. The nerve is important for breathing because it provides exclusive motor control of the diaphragm, the primary muscle of respiration. In humans, the right and left phrenic nerves are primarily supplied by the C4 spinal nerve, but there is also a contribution from the C3 and C5 spinal nerves. From its origin in the neck, the nerve travels downward into the chest to pass between the heart and lungs towards the diaphragm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subclavian artery</span> Major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle

In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are paired major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle. They receive blood from the aortic arch. The left subclavian artery supplies blood to the left arm and the right subclavian artery supplies blood to the right arm, with some branches supplying the head and thorax. On the left side of the body, the subclavian comes directly off the aortic arch, while on the right side it arises from the relatively short brachiocephalic artery when it bifurcates into the subclavian and the right common carotid artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical plexus</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pectineus muscle</span> Adductor of the thigh

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nerve plexus</span> Network of nerve fibres

A nerve plexus is a plexus of intersecting nerves. 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. The nerves that arise from the plexuses have both sensory and motor functions. These functions include muscle contraction, the maintenance of body coordination and control, and the reaction to sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and pressure. There are several plexuses in the body, including:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoracic aorta</span> Part of the aorta located in the thorax

The thoracic aorta is a part of the aorta located in the thorax. It is a continuation of the aortic arch. It is located within the posterior mediastinal cavity, but frequently bulges into the left pleural cavity. The descending thoracic aorta begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it becomes the abdominal aorta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercostal nerves</span>

The intercostal nerves are part of the somatic nervous system, and arise from the anterior rami of the thoracic spinal nerves from T1 to T11. The intercostal nerves are distributed chiefly to the thoracic pleura and abdominal peritoneum, and differ from the anterior rami of the other spinal nerves in that each pursues an independent course without plexus formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiac plexus</span> Bunch of vagus nerve branches that support the hearts functions

The cardiac plexus is a plexus of nerves situated at the base of the heart that innervates the heart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary branches of vagus nerve</span>

The pulmonary branches of the vagus nerve can be divided into two groups: anterior and posterior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior mesenteric ganglion</span>

The superior mesenteric ganglion is a ganglion in the upper part of the superior mesenteric plexus. It lies close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nerve to obturator internus</span> Human nerve

The nerve to obturator internus is a mixed nerve providing motor innervation to the obturator internus muscle and gemellus superior muscle, and sensory innervation to the hip joint. It is a branch of the sacral plexus. It is one of the group of deep gluteal nerves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hepatic plexus</span>

The hepatic plexus is a sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve plexus that provides innervation to the parenchyma of the liver as well as contributing innervation to some other abdominal structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Root of the lung</span>

The root of the lung is a group of structures that emerge at the hilum of each lung, just above the middle of the mediastinal surface and behind the cardiac impression of the lung. It is nearer to the back than the front. The root of the lung is connected by the structures that form it to the heart and the trachea. The rib cage is separated from the lung by a two-layered membranous coating, the pleura. The hilum is the large triangular depression where the connection between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura is made, and this marks the meeting point between the mediastinum and the pleural cavities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary pleurae</span> Serous membrane that lines the wall of the thoracic cavity and the surface of the lung

The pulmonary pleurae are the two opposing layers of serous membrane overlying the lungs and the inside of the surrounding chest walls.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Weijs, Teun J.; Ruurda, Jelle P.; Luyer, Michael D. P.; Cuesta, Miguel A.; van Hillegersberg, Richard; Bleys, Ronaldus L. A. W. (2017). "New insights into the surgical anatomy of the esophagus". Journal of Thoracic Disease. 9 (Suppl 8): S675–S680. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2017.03.172 . ISSN   2072-1439. PMC   5538986 . PMID   28815062.
  2. Hacking, Craig (2022-10-14), "Pulmonary plexus", Radiopaedia.org, doi: 10.53347/rid-154497 , retrieved 2023-08-19
  3. Larsell, O; Coffey, J.R. (1928). "The effect on respiration of stimulating the nerve terminations in the visceral pleura". The Anatomical Record. 28: 20.
  4. "The Pleurae - Visceral - Parietal - TeachMeAnatomy". teachmeanatomy.info. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  5. "Pleura | Learn Surgery Online" . Retrieved 2023-08-19.

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 913 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)