Submucosal plexus

Submucosal plexus (a.k.a. Meissner plexus) refers to a local circuitry of neurons and ganglia which is situated within the gut wall (from esophagus to the rectum). It is situated within the submucosa and innervates the smooth muscle of the gut. The submucosal plexus, in association with another plexus of nerves, called the myenteric plexus, make up the enteric nervous system.

The enteric nervous system helps regulate the peristalsis, secretions and vasculature within the gut. While it can act independently from the central nervous system, its activity is primarily regulated by autonomic pre-ganglionic parasympathetic neurons coming from the anterior and posterior vagal trunks. These neurons synapse with the postganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses in the gut wall. The vagal discharge leads to increased secretions and peristalsis of the gut.

Dysfunction of enteric nervous system could lead to various disorders, such as Hirschprung disease, achalasia and gastroparesis.