Esophageal plexus - Mediastinum - Mediastinum: Lateral aspect - Right - e-Anatomy
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Esophageal plexus

Plexus oesophageus

  • Related terms: Oesophageal plexus

Definition

Both anterior and posterior vagal trunks communicate with each other via anterior and posterior communicating branches, forming an esophageal plexus around the esophagus, superior to the esophageal hiatus. Branches from the esophageal plexus provide innervation to the esophagus and the posterior aspect of the pericardium.

References

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

  • Doubilet, H., Shafiroff, B.G. and Mulholland, J.H. (1948). The Anatomy of the Peri-Esophageal Vagi. Ann Surg. 127(1):128-35. doi: 10.1097/00000658-194801000-00012.

  • 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. 345.

  • Kenny BJ, Bordoni B. Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve 10 (Vagus Nerve) [Updated 2021 Nov 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537171/

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