Corpus: Plexus

The term plexus' refers to a network or interweaving of pathways of the organism, i.e. veins, arteries, lymph vessels or nerve tracts.

Nerve plexuses (nerve plexuses) are formed when nerve fibres from different segments of the spinal cord or ganglia are laid together to form reticular fibre networks. A distinction is made between somatic nerve plexuses and vegetative nerve plexuses. Vegetative nerve plexuses are generally orientated topographically to other pathways, usually arteries.

• Somatic nerve plexus
  • Cervical plexus
  • brachial plexus
  • Lumbar plexus
  • Sacral plexus
• Vegetative nerve plexus
  • Coeliac plexus
  • Cardiac plexus
  • Pulmonary plexus and many others.

Vascular plexuses are networks of anastomosing blood vessels that supply or drain a specific area of tissue. A distinction is made between arterial, venous and mixed vascular plexuses.

Arterial plexus[Bearbeiten]

Arterial plexuses (arterial plexuses) consist of a network of arterial blood vessels that communicate with each other. Examples are:

• Circulus arteriosus iridis major
• Circulus arteriosus iridis minor

Vein plexus[Bearbeiten]

Venous plexuses (venous plexuses) are a network of venous blood vessels that are interconnected by numerous anastomoses. They fulfil various tasks and serve, among other things, to increase the surface area and have a cushioning and sealing function. Examples are

• Plexus pampiniformis
• Plexus venosus rectalis
• vesical venous plexus