Corpus: Cardiac plexus

The cardiac plexus is a complex network of autonomic nerves located at the base of the heart. It contains both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres.

The cardiac plexus is divided into two main parts, which are functionally closely connected. The superficial part is located on the concave side of the aortic arch, directly in front of the right pulmonary artery. The deep part is situated between the aortic arch and the trachea.

This plexus receives input from both parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves.

2.1. Parasympathetic inflows

• Vagus nerve (via cardiac branches)
• Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Parasympathetic fibres synapse with postganglionic fibres in the cardiac ganglia near the heart.

2.2. Sympathetic tributaries

• Superior cervical cardiac nerve (from the superior cervical ganglion)
• Medial cervical cardiac nerve (from the middle cervical ganglion)
• Inferior cervical cardiac nerve (from the inferior cervical ganglion or stellate ganglion)

The cardiac plexus provides autonomic innervation to the heart, influencing heart rate among other things.