nerve plexus

nerve plexus

n.

A plexus formed by nerves interlaced with numerous communicating branches.

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nerve plexus

Etymology: L, nervus, nerve, plexus, plaited

an interwoven network of nerves, such as the lumbar plexus formed by the anterior primary branch of the upper four lumbar nerves.

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plexus [plek´sus] (pl. plex´us, plexuses) (L.)

a network or tangle, chiefly of veins or nerves; see also rete. adj., adj plex´al.

plexus basila´ris a venous plexus of the dura mater located over the basilar part of the occipital bone and the posterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone, extending from the cavernous sinus to the foramen magnum.

brachial plexus see brachial plexus.

cardiac plexus the plexus around the base of the heart, chiefly in the epicardium, formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia, and made up of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers that innervate the heart.

carotid p's nerve plexuses surrounding the common, external, and internal carotid arteries.

celiac plexus solar plexus.

cervical plexus a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the first four cervical spinal nerves and supplying the structures in the region of the neck. One important branch is the phrenic nerve, which supplies the diaphragm.

choroid plexus infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat of ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the third, fourth, and lateral ventricles of the brain; they secrete the cerebrospinal fluid.

coccygeal plexus a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the coccygeal and fifth sacral nerve and by a communication from the fourth sacral nerve, giving off the anococcygeal nerves.

cystic plexus a nerve plexus near the gallbladder.

dental plexus either of two plexuses (inferior and superior) of nerve fibers, one from the inferior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the lower teeth, and the other from the superior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the upper teeth.

lumbar plexus one formed by the ventral branches of the second to fifth lumbar nerves in the psoas major muscle (the branches of the first lumbar nerve often are included).

lumbosacral plexus the lumbar and sacral plexuses considered together, because of their continuous nature.

lymphatic plexus an interconnecting network of lymph vessels that provides drainage of lymph in a one-way flow. An example is the lymphocapillary vessels, collecting vessels, and trunks.

myenteric plexus a nerve plexus situated in the muscular layers of the intestines.

nerve plexus a plexus composed of intermingled nerve fibers.

pampiniform plexus

1. in the male, a plexus of veins from the testis and the epididymis, constituting part of the spermatic cord.

2. in the female, a plexus of ovarian veins draining the ovary.

sacral plexus a plexus arising from the ventral branches of the last two lumbar and first four sacral spinal nerves.

solar plexus see solar plexus.

tympanic plexus a network of nerve fibers supplying the mucous lining of the tympanum, mastoid air cells, and pharyngotympanic tube.

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plexus

pl. plexus, plexuses [L.] a network or tangle, chiefly of veins or nerves.

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brachial plexus

see brachial plexus.

cardiac plexus

the plexus around the base of the heart, chiefly in the epicardium, formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia, and made up of sympathetic, parasympathetic and visceral afferent fibers that innervate the heart.

carotid p's

nerve plexuses surrounding the common, external and internal carotid arteries.

celiac plexus

a plexus of autonomic fibers and sympathetic nerve ganglia which surround the origin of the celiac artery, and supply the abdominal viscera.

celiacomesenteric plexus

a plexus of autonomic nerve fibers and sympathetic ganglia around the origin of the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries; called also solar plexus.

cervical plexus

a network of nerve fibers formed by the first four cervical nerves and supplying the structures in the region of the neck.

choroid plexus

infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat of ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the third, fourth, and lateral ventricles of the brain; they secrete the cerebrospinal fluid.

coccygeal plexus

a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the coccygeal and last sacral nerves.

coronary plexus

a venous plexus within the coronet of the hoof.

cutaneous p's

superficial, middle and deep, inter-communicating plexuses of blood vessels are identified as supplying blood to haired skin.

cystic plexus

a nerve plexus near the gallbladder.

dental plexus

either of two plexuses (inferior and superior) of nerve fibers, one from the inferior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the lower teeth, and the other from the superior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the upper teeth.

gonadal plexus

the collection of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves to the gonads.

hoof plexus

plexus of veins draining the hoof region in the horse.

lumbar plexus

see lumbar plexus.

lumbosacral plexus

see lumbosacral plexus.

mesenteric plexus

parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve supply to the abdominal organs.

myenteric plexus

see auerbach plexus.

nerve plexus

a plexus composed of intermingled nerve fibers.

pampiniform plexus

1. a plexus of veins from the testis and the epididymis, constituting part of the spermatic cord.

2. a plexus of ovarian veins in the broad ligament of the uterus.

parametrial plexus

the venous plexus within the broad ligament providing venous drainage to the uterus and vagina.

plexus papilloma

see plexus papilloma.

pulmonary plexus

the array of autonomic nerves which supply the lungs.

renal plexus

autonomic nerve supply to the kidney.

sacral plexus

a plexus arising from the ventral branches of the last few lumbar and first few sacral spinal nerves.

solar plexus

see celiacomesenteric plexus (above).

tympanic plexus

a network of nerve fibers supplying the mucous lining of the tympanum and auditory tube.