Auerbach's plexus
Encyclopedia
A part of the enteric nervous system
, Auerbach's plexus
(or myenteric plexus), exists between the longitudinal and circular layers of muscularis externa
in the gastrointestinal tract
and provides motor innervation to both layers of the mucosa, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic
input, whereas Meissner's plexus has only parasympathetic fibers and provides secretomotor innervation to the mucosa nearest the lumen of the gut.
It arises from cells in the nucleus ala cinerea, the parasympathetic nucleus of origin for the tenth cranial nerve (vagus), located in the medulla oblongata
. The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. It is found in the muscles of the esophagus
, stomach
, and intestine
. The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the gastrointestinal tract
and controls GI tract motility.
.
.
Enteric nervous system
The enteric nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that directly controls the gastrointestinal system in vertebrates.It is derived from neural crest.-Function:...
, Auerbach's plexus
Plexus
A plexus is a part of nervous system. Plexus has a slightly different definition in vertebrates and in invertebrates.- In vertebrates :In vertebrates, a plexus is an area where nerves branch and rejoin. The electrical signals do not mix; rather, the fibres travel together with their electrical...
(or myenteric plexus), exists between the longitudinal and circular layers of muscularis externa
Muscularis externa
The muscular coat is a region of muscle in many organs in the vertebrate body, adjacent to the submucosa membrane...
in the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
and provides motor innervation to both layers of the mucosa, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the three parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with the enteric and parasympathetic systems. Its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system fight-or-flight response...
input, whereas Meissner's plexus has only parasympathetic fibers and provides secretomotor innervation to the mucosa nearest the lumen of the gut.
It arises from cells in the nucleus ala cinerea, the parasympathetic nucleus of origin for the tenth cranial nerve (vagus), located in the medulla oblongata
Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. In discussions of neurology and similar contexts where no ambiguity will result, it is often referred to as simply the medulla...
. The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. It is found in the muscles of the esophagus
Esophagus
The esophagus is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus and travels via peristalsis to the stomach...
, stomach
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular, hollow, dilated part of the alimentary canal which functions as an important organ of the digestive tract in some animals, including vertebrates, echinoderms, insects , and molluscs. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication .The stomach is...
, and intestine
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
. The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
and controls GI tract motility.
Role in disease
A decrease in ganglion cell density in Auerbach's plexus has been linked to the condition achalasiaAchalasia
Achalasia , also known as esophageal achalasia, achalasia cardiae, cardiospasm, and esophageal aperistalsis, is an esophageal motility disorder involving the smooth muscle layer of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter...
.
Eponym
The myenteric plexus is referred to as Auerbach's plexus for its first describer Leopold AuerbachLeopold Auerbach
Leopold Auerbach was a German anatomist and neuropathologist born in Breslau.Auerbach studied Medicine at the University of Breslau, the University of Berlin and the University of Leipzig. He became a doctor in 1850...
.