A nerveplexus is a plexus of intersecting nerves. A nerve plexus is composed of afferent and efferent fibers that arise from the merging of the anterior rami of spinal nerves and blood vessels. There are five spinal nerve plexuses, except in the thoracic region, as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system. The nerves that arise from the plexuses have both sensory and motor functions. These functions include muscle contraction, the maintenance of body coordination and control, and the reaction to sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and pressure. There are several plexuses in the body, including:
Spinal Plexuses
*Cervical plexus - serves the head, neck and shoulders
*Brachial plexus - serves the chest, shoulders, arms and hands
*Lumbar plexus - serves the back, abdomen, groin, thighs, knees, and calves
*Sacral plexus - serves the pelvis, buttocks, genitals, thighs, calves, and feet
*Coccygeal plexus - serves a small region over the coccyx
Autonomic Plexuses
*Celiac plexus - serves internal organs
*Auerbach's plexus - serves the gastrointestinal tract
*Meissner's plexus - serves the gastrointestinal tract
*Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve - serves the palate and pharynx
*Cardiac plexus - serves the heart
Spinal plexuses
The following table shows the nerves that arise from each spinal plexus as well as the spinal level each plexus arises from.
The Cervical plexus is formed by the ventral rami of the upper four cervical nerves and the upper part of fifth cervical ventral ramus. The network of rami is located deep to the sternocleidomastoid within the neck. The cervical plexus innervates muscles of the neck and areas of skin on the head, neck and chest. The deep branches innervate muscles, while the superficial branches supply areas of skin. A long branch innervates muscles of the diaphragm. The cervical plexus also communicates with the cranial nerves vagus nerve and hypoglossal nerve.
The Brachial plexus is formed by the ventral rami of C5-C8-T1 spinal nerves, and lower and upper halves of C4 and T2 spinal nerves. The plexus extends toward the armpit. The roots of C5 and C6 form upper trunk, the ramus C7 forms the middle trunk, and the rami C8 and T1 join to form the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. Under the clavicle, the trunks reorganize to form cords ' around the axillary artery'. The lateral cord ' is formed by the upper and middle trunk, all three trunks join to form the posterior cord', the lower trunk continues to the medial trunk . The nerves to the shoulder and to the upper limb emerge from the brachial plexus.
Since the Lumbar plexus and Sacral plexus are interconnected, they are sometimes referred to as the Lumbosacral plexus. The intercostal nerves that give rami to the chest and to the upper parts of the abdominal wall efferent motor innervation and to the pleura and peritoneum afferent sensory innervation are the only ones that do not originate from a plexus. The ventral rami of L1-L5 spinal nerves with a contribution of T12 form Lumbar plexus. This plexus lies within the psoas major muscle. Nervi of the plexus serve the skin and the muscles of the lower abdominal wall, the thigh and external genitals. The largest nerve of the plexus is the femoral nerve. It supplies anterior muscles of the thigh and a part of skin distal to the inguinal ligament.
Sacral plexus
Ventral rami of L4-S3 with parts of L4 and S4 spinal nerves form the Sacral plexus. It is located on the posterior wall of pelvic cavity. Nervi of the plexus innervate the perineal region, buttocks and the lower limb. The largest nerve of the human body, the sciatic nerve is the main branch, that give rami to the motor innervation of the muscles of the foot, the leg and the thigh. Common peroneal nerve and its branches innervate some part of the skin of the foot, the peroneal muscles of the leg and the dorsal muscles of the foot.
originate from S4, S5, Co1 spinal nerves. It is interconnected with the lower part of Sacral plexus. The only nerve of the plexus is the coccygeal nerve, that serves sensory innervation of the skin in the coccygeal region.
