celiac plexus

(solar plexus)

A complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta. It is behind the stomach and omental bursa, and in front of the crura of the diaphragm, on the level of the first lumbar vertebra.

It is part of the nervous system, bundle of nerves in the upper abdomen sits behind the pancreas close to the aorta.
It is involved in providing nerve supply to digestive system organs, such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, and other abdominal structures.

It follows the arterial supply of the abdomen such as, the celiac trunk (celiac artery, celiac axis), superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries.

(Compositions)
Related nerve fibers:
• greater splanchnic nerves (both sides)
• lesser splanchnic nerves (both sides)
• celiac branch of the anterior vagal trunk
• celiac branch of the posterior vagal trunk
Celiac plexus proper:
• celiac ganglia
- - aorticorenal ganglia
Branches:
• hepatic plexus
• splenic plexus
• gastric plexus
• pancreatic plexus
• suprarenal plexus

(Neighboring plexuses)
• renal plexus
• testicular plexus / ovarian plexus
• superior mesenteric plexus

(Celiac plexus block)
Alleviates severe upper abdominal pain or back pain caused by pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. Cancerous tumors can put pressure on the celiac plexus, causing pain.
Aims:
• relieve pain
• during surgery
• during an endoscopic ultrasound