Corpus: Celiac ganglia
from Greek: κοιλία ("koilia") - cave, chamber
1. Definition
The ganglia coeliaca are the largest collection of ganglion cells in the autonomic nervous system and belong to the prevertebral ganglia, functionally associated with the sympathetic nervous system.
2. Topography
The coeliac ganglia are situated on both sides of the cranial portion of the abdominal aorta, near the origin of the coeliac trunk. Their pre- and postganglionic fibres form the coeliac plexus, along with parasympathetic fibres from the vagus nerve. Together with other groups of ganglion cells, they are part of the solar plexus.
3. Innervation
The coeliac ganglia receive presynaptic sympathetic nerve fibres from the greater and lesser splanchnic nerves. These fibres arise from the lateral horn of the spinal cord and bypass the border ganglia without synapsing. In the celiac ganglia, they synapse with postsynaptic neurons that send fibres to the abdominal viscera. Additionally, visceroafferent fibres from surrounding organs reach the spinal cord via the splanchnic nerves.
4. Function
The coeliac ganglia provide sympathetic innervation to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, as well as the ascending and transverse colon. They also send fibres to the ovaries.