pulmonary plexus

(noun)

An autonomic plexus formed from the pulmonary branches of the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. It supplies the bronchial tree and the visceral pleura.

Related Terms

Examples of pulmonary plexus in the following topics:

  • Autonomic Plexuses

    • The autonomic plexuses include the cardiac plexus, the pulmonary plexus, the esophageal plexus, and abdominal aortic plexus, and the superior and inferior hypogastric plexuses.
    • The superficial part of the cardiac plexus lies beneath the arch of the aorta, in front of the right pulmonary artery.
    • The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk.
    • The esophageal plexus and the cardiac plexus contain the same types of fibers and are both considered thoracic autonomic plexus(es).
    • The inferior hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus in some texts) is a plexus of nerves that supplies the viscera of the pelvic cavity.

  • Sacral and Coccygeal Plexuses

    • The sacral plexus is the plexus of the three sacral spinal nerves (S2–S4) that arise from the lower back just above the sacrum.
    • The sacral plexus is a nerve plexus that provides motor and sensory nerves for the posterior thigh, most of the lower leg, the entire foot, and part of the pelvis.
    • Often, the sacral plexus and the lumbar plexus are considered to be one large nerve plexus, the lumbosacral plexus.
    • The coccygeal plexus originates from the S4, S5, and Co1 spinal nerves.
    • It is interconnected with the lower part of the sacral plexus.

  • Plexuses

    • The plexus extends toward the armpit (axilla).
    • The lumbar plexus is formed by the ventral rami of L1–L5 spinal nerves with a contribution of T12 form the lumbar plexus.
    • This plexus lies within the psoas major muscle.
    • It is interconnected with the lower part of sacral plexus.
    • In addition, the celiac plexus serves the internal organs, and Auerbach's plexus serves the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Brachial Plexus

    • The brachial plexus is formed by the four lower cervical spinal nerves and the first thoracic spinal nerve.
    • The brachial plexus proceeds through the neck, the axilla (armpit region), and into the arm.
    • Lesions on the brachial plexus can lead to severe functional impairment.
    • The brachial plexus is divided into roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches.
    • The right brachial plexus with its short branches, viewed from the front.

  • Injuries to Nerves Emerging from the Brachial Plexus

    • Brachial plexus injuries, or lesions, are caused by damage to those nerves.
    • But in general, brachial plexus lesions can be classified as either traumatic or obstetric.
    • The brachial plexus may be injured by falls from a height on to the side of the head and shoulder, whereby the nerves of the plexus are violently stretched.
    • Cervical (C5-C8) and thoracic (T1) comprise the brachial plexus, which is a nerve plexus that provides sensory and motor function to the shoulders and upper limbs.
    • Describe the effects of injuries to the nerves of the brachial plexus

  • Cervical Plexus

    • The cervical plexus is the plexus of the ventral rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves.
    • The cervical plexus is a plexus of the ventral rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves located from the C1 to C4 cervical segment in the neck.
    • Nerves formed from the cervical plexus innervate the back of the head, as well as some neck muscles.
    • The cervical plexus has two types of branches: cutaneous and muscular.
    • The great auricular nerve originates from the cervical plexus and is composed of branches from spinal nerves C2 and C3.

  • Blood Flow in the Lungs

    • The pulmonary circulatory system is the portion of the cardiovascular system in which oxygen-depleted blood is pumped away from the heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
    • Oxygenated blood is then returned to the heart via the pulmonary vein.
    • From the right ventricle of the heart, blood is pumped through the pulmonary semilunar valve into the left and right pulmonary arteries (one for each lung) and travels through the lungs.
    • The oxygenated blood then leaves the lungs through pulmonary veins, which return it to the left atrium of the heart, completing the pulmonary cycle.
    • Outline the path of pulmonary circulation: blood flow in the lungs

  • Lumbar Plexus

    • The lumbar plexus is a nerve plexus in the lumbar region of the body that forms part of the lumbosacral plexus.
    • This plexus lies within the psoas major muscle.
    • Nerves of the lumbar plexus serve the skin and the muscles of the lower abdominal wall, the thigh, and external genitals.
    • Femoral nerve: This is the largest and longest of the plexus' nerves.
    • An image of the lumbar plexus with its nerves highlighted in yellow.

  • Blood Supply to the Lungs

    • Pulmonary circulation refers to blood supply to the lungs for the purpose of gas exchange.
    • The right side of the heart deals with pulmonary circulation.
    • After blood fills in the right ventricle, it contracts and pumps the blood through the pulmonary valve, and into the pulmonary arteries.
    • The most serious issue in pulmonary circulation is a pulmonary embolism, which is where a blood clot travels to the lung and causes an infarction of the lung (tissue death from lack of oxygen).
    • Diagram of pulmonary circulation.

  • Systemic and Pulmonary Circulation

    • From the right ventricle, blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve and into the pulmonary artery.
    • The pulmonary artery splits into the right and left pulmonary arteries and travel to each lung.
    • The oxygenated blood then leaves the lungs through pulmonary veins, which returns it to the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circuit.
    • Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs leaves the pulmonary circulation when it enters the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.
    • Diagram of pulmonary circulation.