plexus /plexus/ (pleksus) pl. plexus, plexuses [L.

] a network or tangle, chiefly of vessels or

nerves.plexal aortic plexus, abdominal one composed of fibers that arise from the celiac and superior mesenteric plexuses and descend along the aorta. Receiving branches from the lumbar splanchnic nerves, it becomes the superior hypogastric plexus below the bifurcation of the aorta. Branches are distributed along the adjacent branches of the aorta. aortic plexus, thoracic one around the thoracic aorta formed by filaments from the sympathetic trunks and vagus nerves, and from which fine twigs accompany branches of the aorta; continuous below with the celiac plexus and the abdominal aortic plexus. autonomic plexus any of the extensive networks of nerve fibers and cell bodies associated with the autonomic nervous system; found particularly in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, and containing sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers. Batson's plexus the vertebral plexus (1) considered as a whole system. brachial plexus a nerve plexus originating from the anterior branches of the last four cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves, giving off many of the principal nerves of the shoulder, chest, and arms.

Brachial plexus. Anterior view, showing the most major branches.

cardiac plexus the plexus around the base of the heart, chiefly in the epicardium, formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia. carotid plexus any of three nerve plexuses surrounding the common, external, and internal carotid arteries, particularly the last. cavernous plexus a plexus of sympathetic nerve fibers related to the cavernous sinus of the dura mater. celiac plexus 1. a network of ganglia and nerves lying in front of the aorta behind the stomach, supplying the abdominal viscera. 2. a network of lymphatic vessels, the superior mesenteric lymph nodes, and the celiac lymph nodes. cervical plexus a nerve plexus formed by the anterior branches of the first four cervical nerves, supplying structures in the neck region. choroid plexuses infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat of ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the third, fourth, and lateral ventricles of the brain; they secrete the cerebrospinal fluid. coccygeal plexus a nerve plexus formed by the anterior branches of the coccygeal and fifth sacral nerves and by a communication from the fourth sacral nerve, giving off the anococcygeal nerve. cystic plexus a nerve plexus near the gallbladder.

dental plexus either of two plexuses (inferior and superior) of nerve fibers, one from the inferior alveolar nerve situated around the roots of the lower teeth, and the other from the superior alveolar nerve situated around the roots of the upper teeth. enteric plexus a plexus of autonomic nerve fibers within the wall of the digestive tube, made up of the submucosal, myenteric, and subserosal plexuses. esophageal plexus a plexus surrounding the esophagus, formed by branches of the left and right vagi and sympathetic trunks and containing also visceral afferent fibers from the esophagus. Exner's plexus superficial tangential fibers in the molecular layer of the cerebral cortex. gastric plexuses subdivisions of the celiac portions of the prevertebral plexuses, accompanying the gastric arteries and branches and supplying nerve fibers to the stomach. Heller's plexus an arterial network in the submucosa of the intestine. hemorrhoidal plexus rectal p. hypogastric plexus, inferior the plexus formed on each side anterior to the lower part of the sacrum, formed by the junction of the hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves; branches are given off to the pelvic organs. hypogastric plexus, superior the downward continuation of the abdominal aortic plexus; it lies in front of the upper part of the sacrum, just below the bifurcation of the aorta, receives fibers from the lower lumbar splanchnic nerves, and divides into right and left hypogastric nerves. lumbar plexus 1. one formed by the anterior branches of the second to fifth lumbar nerves in the psoas major muscle (the branches of the first lumbar nerve often are included). 2. a lymphatic plexus in the lumbar region.

Lumbar plexus, in yellow, in anterior (A) and lateral (B) views, with the divisions forming the lumbosacral trunk shown in white, as is the sacral plexus.

lumbosacral plexus the lumbar and sacral plexuses considered together, because of their continuous nature. Meissner's plexus submucosal p. mesenteric plexus, inferior a subdivision of the abdominal aortic plexus accompanying the inferior mesenteric artery. mesenteric plexus, superior a subdivision of the celiac plexus accompanying the superior mesenteric artery. myenteric plexus that part of the enteric plexus within the tunica muscularis. pampiniform plexus 1. a plexus of veins from the testicle and epididymis, constituting part of the spermatic cord. 2. a plexus of ovarian veins in the broad ligament. pelvic plexus inferior hypogastric p. pharyngeal plexus

1. a venous plexus posterolateral to the pharynx, formed by the pharyngeal veins, communicating with the pterygoid venous plexus, and draining into the internal jugular vein. 2. one formed chiefly by fibers from branches of the vagus nerves, but also by fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerves and sympathetic trunks, and supplying most of the muscles and mucosa of the pharynx and soft palate. phrenic plexus a nerve plexus accompanying the inferior phrenic artery to the diaphragm and adrenal glands. prevertebral plexuses autonomic nerve plexuses situated in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, anterior to the vertebral column; they consist of visceral afferent fibers, preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, preganglionic and postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and ganglia containing sympathetic ganglion cells, and they give rise to postganglionic fibers. prostatic plexus 1. a subdivision of the inferior hypogastric plexus that supplies nerve fibers to the prostate and adjacent organs. 2. a venous plexus around the prostate gland, receiving the deep dorsal vein of the penis and draining through the vesical plexus and the prostatic veins. pterygoid plexus a network of veins corresponding to the second and third parts of the maxillary artery; situated on the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles and draining into the facial vein. pulmonary plexus one formed by several strong trunks of the vagus nerve that are joined at the root of the lung by branches from the sympathetic trunk and cardiac plexus; it is often divided into anterior and posterior parts. rectal plexus 1. a venous plexus that surrounds the lower part of the rectum and drains into the rectal veins. 2. any of the rectal nerve plexuses (inferior, middle, or superior). rectal plexus, external inferior rectal p. (1). rectal plexus, inferior 1. the subcutaneous portion of the rectal venous plexus, below the pectinate line. 2. a nerve plexus accompanying the inferior rectal artery, derived chiefly from the inferior rectal nerve. rectal plexus, internal superior rectal p. (1). rectal plexus, middle a subdivision of the inferior hypogastric plexus, in proximity with and supplying nerve fibers to the rectum. rectal plexus, superior 1. the submucosal portion of the rectal venous plexus, above the pectinate line. 2. a nerve plexus accompanying the superior rectal artery to the rectum, derived from the inferior mesenteric and hypogastric plexuses. sacral plexus 1. one arising from the anterior branches of the last two lumbar and the first four sacral nerves.

Plexus sacralis (sacral plexus), in yellow, in anterior (A) and lateral (B) views. The lumbar plexus is shown in white.

2. a venous plexus on the pelvic surface of the sacrum, receiving the sacral intervertebral veins. solar plexus celiac p. (1). submucosal plexus the part of the enteric plexus that is situated in the submucosa. subserosal plexus the part of the enteric plexus situated deep to the serosal surface of the tunica serosa. tympanic plexus a network of nerve fibers supplying the mucous lining of the tympanum, mastoid air cells, and pharyngotympanic tube. uterine plexus 1. the part of the uterovaginal plexus that supplies nerve fibers to the cervix and lower part of the uterus. 2. the venous plexus around the uterus, draining into the internal iliac veins by way of the uterine veins. uterovaginal plexus 1. the subdivision of the inferior hypogastric plexus that supplies nerve fibers to the uterus, ovary, vagina, urethra, and erectile tissue of the vestibule. 2. the uterine and vaginal venous plexuses considered together. vaginal plexus 1. the part of the uterovaginal plexus that supplies nerve fibers to the walls of the vagina. 2. a venous plexus in the walls of the vagina, which drains into the internal iliac veins by way of the internal pudendal veins. vascular plexus 1. a network of intercommunicating blood vessels. 2. a plexus of peripheral nerves through which blood vessels receive innervation. venous plexus a network of interconnecting veins. vertebral plexus 1. a plexus of veins related to the vertebral column. 2. a nerve plexus accompanying the vertebral artery, carrying sympathetic fibers to the posterior cranial fossa via cranial nerves. vesical plexus 1. the subdivision of the inferior hypogastric plexus that supplies sympathetic nerve fibers to the urinary bladder and parts of the ureter, ductus deferens, and seminal vesicle. 2. a venous plexus surrounding the upper part of the urethra and the neck of the bladder, communicating with the vaginal plexus in the female and with the prostatic plexus in the male.

Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. 2007 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

lumbosacral plexus
Etymology: L, lumbus, loin, sacrum, sacred, plexus, braided the combination of all the ventral anterior primary divisions of the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal nerves. The lumbar and sacral plexuses supply the lower limb. The sacral nerves also supply the perineum through the pudendal plexus and the coccygeal area through the coccygeal plexus. See also lumbar plexus, sacral plexus.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. 2009, Elsevier.

plexus [pleksus] (pl. plexus, plexuses) (L.)

a network or tangle, chiefly of veins or nerves; see also RETE. adj., adj plexal. plexus basilaris a venous plexus of the dura mater located over the basilar part of the occipital bone and the posterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone, extending from the cavernous sinus to the foramen magnum. brachial plexus see BRACHIAL PLEXUS. cardiac plexus the plexus around the base of the heart, chiefly in the epicardium, formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia, and made up of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers that innervate the heart. carotid p's nerve plexuses surrounding the common, external, and internal carotid arteries. celiac plexus SOLAR PLEXUS. cervical plexus a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the first four cervical spinal nerves and supplying the structures in the region of the neck. One important branch is the phrenic nerve, which supplies the diaphragm. choroid plexus infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat of ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the third, fourth, and lateral ventricles of the brain; they secrete the cerebrospinal fluid.

coccygeal plexus a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the coccygeal and fifth sacral nerve and by a communication from the fourth sacral nerve, giving off the anococcygeal nerves. cystic plexus a nerve plexus near the gallbladder. dental plexus either of two plexuses (inferior and superior) of nerve fibers, one from the inferior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the lower teeth, and the other from the superior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the upper teeth. lumbar plexus one formed by the ventral branches of the second to fifth lumbar nerves in the psoas major muscle (the branches of the first lumbar nerve often are included). lumbosacral plexus the lumbar and sacral plexuses considered together, because of their continuous nature. lymphatic plexus an interconnecting network of lymph vessels that provides drainage of lymph in a oneway flow. An example is the lymphocapillary vessels, collecting vessels, and trunks. myenteric plexus a nerve plexus situated in the muscular layers of the intestines. nerve plexus a plexus composed of intermingled nerve fibers. pampiniform plexus 1. in the male, a plexus of veins from the testis and the epididymis, constituting part of the spermatic cord. 2. in the female, a plexus of ovarian veins draining the ovary. sacral plexus a plexus arising from the ventral branches of the last two lumbar and first four sacral spinal nerves. solar plexus see SOLAR PLEXUS. tympanic plexus a network of nerve fibers supplying the mucous lining of the tympanum, mastoid air cells, and pharyngotympanic tube.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

lumbosacral
pertaining to the lumbar and sacral region, or to the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum.

lumbosacral instability see lumbosacral stenosis (below). lumbosacral intumescence the thicker portion of the spinal cord from which the roots of the lumbosacral plexus originate, corresponding to the caudal, cervical lumbar and the sacral spinal segments. lumbosacral luxation may result from trauma; common in dogs and cats. Neurological deficits result from injury to spinal nerves, and parenchymal hemorrhage and edema in spinal cord segments distant from the site. lumbosacral plexus a network made up of the caudal lumbar and sacral spinal nerves giving rise to the femoral, obturator, cranial gluteal, caudal gluteal, sciatic and pudendal nerves; innervates the perineum and muscles of the pelvic limb. lumbosacral plexus injury severe trauma to the hindlimbs may cause injury to the lumbosacral plexus, causing femoral and sciatic nerve deficits (inability to bear weight, extend or flex the stifle, dropped hock, and knuckling onto the digits). lumbosacral spondylopathy see lumbosacral stenosis (below). lumbosacral stenosis a reduction in diameter of the spinal canal at the level of the lumbosacral articulation may be caused by congenital anomalies of the vertebrae or acquired lesions. Weakness, pain and paresthesia with selfmutilation of the pelvic limbs and tail are clinical signs in dogs. Occurs as a congenital anomaly in some smaller dog breeds, and as an acquired defect in larger breeds, particularly the German shepherd dog. lumbosacral syndrome lesions involving the lumbosacral tumescence or the lumbosacral nerve roots. Signs include flaccid paresis or paralysis of pelvic limbs, paresthesia and sensory loss in the pelvic limbs, anal sphincter, tail, bladder and urethral sphincter, depressed or absent postural reactions in the pelvic limbs, and urine retention with passive incontinence. See also lumbosacral stenosis and lumbosacral plexus injury (above), cauda equina neuritis.

plexus
pl. plexus, plexuses [L.] a network or tangle, chiefly of veins or nerves. brachial plexus see brachial plexus. cardiac plexus

the plexus around the base of the heart, chiefly in the epicardium, formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia, and made up of sympathetic, parasympathetic and visceral afferent fibers that innervate the heart. carotid p's nerve plexuses surrounding the common, external and internal carotid arteries. celiac plexus a plexus of autonomic fibers and sympathetic nerve ganglia which surround the origin of the celiac artery, and supply the abdominal viscera. celiacomesenteric plexus a plexus of autonomic nerve fibers and sympathetic ganglia around the origin of the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries; called also solar plexus. cervical plexus a network of nerve fibers formed by the first four cervical nerves and supplying the structures in the region of the neck. choroid plexus infoldings of blood vessels of the pia mater covered by a thin coat of ependymal cells that form tufted projections into the third, fourth, and lateral ventricles of the brain; they secrete the cerebrospinal fluid. coccygeal plexus a nerve plexus formed by the ventral branches of the coccygeal and last sacral nerves. coronary plexus a venous plexus within the coronet of the hoof. cutaneous p's superficial, middle and deep, inter-communicating plexuses of blood vessels are identified as supplying blood to haired skin. cystic plexus a nerve plexus near the gallbladder. dental plexus either of two plexuses (inferior and superior) of nerve fibers, one from the inferior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the lower teeth, and the other from the superior alveolar nerve, situated around the roots of the upper teeth. gonadal plexus the collection of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves to the gonads. hoof plexus plexus of veins draining the hoof region in the horse. lumbar plexus see lumbar plexus. lumbosacral plexus see lumbosacral plexus. mesenteric plexus parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve supply to the abdominal organs.

myenteric plexus see auerbach plexus. nerve plexus a plexus composed of intermingled nerve fibers. pampiniform plexus 1. a plexus of veins from the testis and the epididymis, constituting part of the spermatic cord. 2. a plexus of ovarian veins in the broad ligament of the uterus. parametrial plexus the venous plexus within the broad ligament providing venous drainage to the uterus and vagina. plexus papilloma see plexus papilloma. pulmonary plexus the array of autonomic nerves which supply the lungs. renal plexus autonomic nerve supply to the kidney. sacral plexus a plexus arising from the ventral branches of the last few lumbar and first few sacral spinal nerves. solar plexus see celiacomesenteric plexus (above). tympanic plexus a network of nerve fibers supplying the mucous lining of the tympanum and auditory tube.