Superior mesenteric plexus

Nerve: Superior mesenteric plexus
The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.
Latin	plexus mesentericus superior
Gray's	subject #220 987
From	celiac plexus

The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the lower part of the celiac plexus, receiving a branch from the junction of the right vagus nerve with the plexus.

It surrounds the superior mesenteric artery, accompanies it into the mesentery, and divides into a number of secondary plexuses, which are distributed to all the parts supplied by the artery, viz., pancreatic branches to the pancreas; intestinal branches to the small intestine; and ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic branches, which supply the corresponding parts of the great intestine.

The nerves composing this plexus are white in color and firm in texture; in the upper part of the plexus close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery is the superior mesenteric ganglion.

Additional images

• 

  The right sympathetic chain and its connections with the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic plexuses.

• 

  Diagram of efferent sympathetic nervous system.

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  Lower half of right sympathetic cord.

External links

• Human anatomy at Dartmouth figures/chapter_32/32-6.HTM

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.