Celiac plexus and ganglia

Plexus coeliacus; ganglia coeliaca

NervousNervesAbdomen

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What it is
The largest autonomic plexus ("solar plexus"): a dense web of nerve fibres and two irregular crescent-shaped celiac ganglia wrapped around the origin of the celiac trunk on the front of the aorta at the T12-L1 level, just behind the stomach and pancreas.
Function
Sympathetic relay (from the greater splanchnic nerves) and parasympathetic crossroads (vagal fibres) for the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, adrenals and small intestine; it also carries their pain signals.
Size
Ganglia 1.5-2 cm each; the plexus spans ~4 cm
Clinical note
A blow to the "solar plexus" knocks the wind out of you by jarring the diaphragm and this plexus; a celiac plexus block, guided by CT or endoscopic ultrasound, is the standard treatment for pain from pancreatic cancer.

Contains Superior mesenteric plexus

Nearby nervous structures 10th intercostal nerve, 11th intercostal nerve, 9th intercostal nerve, Enteric (myenteric) plexus - marker, L1 spinal nerve, L2 spinal nerve, L3 spinal nerve, L4 dorsal root ganglion, L4 spinal nerve, L5 spinal nerve