What is the function of the pulmonary plexus?
The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. It supplies the bronchial tree and the visceral pleura.
Where is pulmonary plexus located?
According to the relation of nerves to the root of the lung, the pulmonary plexus is divided into the anterior pulmonary plexus, which lies in front of the lung and the posterior pulmonary plexus, which lies behind the lung. The anterior pulmonary plexus is close in proximity to the pulmonary artery.
What is the respiratory plexus?
The pulmonary plexuses are the sites of convergence of autonomic fibres which supply the lung. They are in continuity with the cardiac plexuses, which lie superiorly, and the oesophageal plexuses, which lie posterosuperiorly. They are sited anterior and posterior relative to each lung root.
What is the function of the cardiac plexus?
The cardiac plexus is a plexus of nerves situated at the base of the heart that innervates the heart.
What is the function of pulmonary respiration?
Delivers oxygen to the cells in your body. Removes waste gases, including carbon dioxide, from the body when you exhale. Protects your airways from harmful substances and irritants.
What are autonomic plexuses?
autonomic plexus: Any of the extensive networks of nerve fibers and cell bodies associated with the autonomic nervous system that are found in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, and that contain sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent fibers.
Where are plexuses formed?
Plexus Locations. Blood vessels that form a plexus are found throughout the body where arteries and veins branch into smaller capillaries. These plexuses serve to ensure that blood flow is undisturbed if one vessel becomes blocked or injured. This is also true for lymphatic plexuses.
What is a plexus What are the four plexuses?
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.
What is lung hilum?
The hilum (root) is a depressed surface at the center of the medial surface of the lung and lies anteriorly to fifth through seventh thoracic vertebrae. It is the point at which various structures enter and exit the lung. The hilum is surrounded by pleura, which extends inferiorly and forms a pulmonary ligament.
What are the four nerve plexuses and their functions?
The cervical plexus supplies nerves to the posterior head and neck, as well as to the diaphragm. The brachial plexus supplies nerves to the arm. The lumbar plexus supplies nerves to the anterior leg. The sacral plexus supplies nerves to the posterior leg.
What is the main function of pulmonary surfactant?
Summary Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of specific lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, which is produced in the lungs by type II alveolar epithelial cells. The mixture is surface active and acts to decrease surface tension at the air–liquid interface of the alveoli.
What is the function of the plexus in the spine?
Bundles of nerves that form a plexus communicate information to your brain about pain, temperature, and pressure. These nerve plexuses also send messages from the brain to the muscles, allowing for movement to occur. A plexus serves as an area where spinal nerves come together, are sorted, and then travel to their respective areas of the body.
What nerve innervates the pulmonary plexus?
Parasympathetic and sympathetic motor nerve fibers and visceral sensory fibers innervate the lung through the pulmonary plexus. These nerve bundles descend in parallel to the bronchial tubes and blood vessels as far as the acinar region.
Is the pulmonary plexus parasympathetic or autonomic?
The pulmonary plexus also receives autonomic fibres directly from two other sources. parasympathetic: right vagus nerve: descends posteroinferiorly on the trachea; divides posterior to the trachea to give pulmonary and oesophageal plexuses; pulmonary plexus passes anteriorly to root of the lung
How many nerve plexuses are there in the body?
There are two major groups of nerve plexuses in the body—the spinal plexus and the autonomic plexus. There are five distinct plexuses in each of these major groups of nerves. They are named based on the location or function of the plexus.