Abdominal aortic plexus

Plexus aorticus abdominalis

Definition

Abdominal aortic plexus refers to a meshwork of neurons and interspersed ganglia which are situated on the anterior and lateral surfaces of the abdominal aorta and supply hindgut and pelvic viscera. It begins from just below the origin of superior mesenteric artery and descends all the way down to the bifurcation of aorta into common iliac arteries.

Abdominal aortic plexus receives sympathetic and parasympathetic afferents. The sympathetic input comprises of post-ganglionic neurons which arise from the lower lumbar sympathetic ganglia and reach the plexus via the lumbar splanchnic nerves. On the contrary, the parasympathetic innervation which arrives via the vagus nerve. Visceral afferent sensory neurons also accompany the sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent neurons.

The major ganglion residing within the abdominal aortic plexus includes the inferior mesenteric ganglion and right and left inferior mesenteric ganglion.

The abdominal aortic plexus extends further along some important arteries, including:

  • Inferior mesenteric plexus around inferior mesenteric artery

  • Spermatic plexus around testicular arteries,

  • External iliac plexuses.

It then continues down as the superior hypogastric plexuses; one on either side.

Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.

  • Beveridge, T.S., Johnson, M., Power, A., Power, N.E. and Allman, B.L., 2015. Anatomy of the nerves and ganglia of the aortic plexus in males. Journal of Anatomy, 226(1), pp.93-103.

  • Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 4: Abdomen’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 344-345.


Comparative anatomy in animals

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