Plexus

German: Plexus

1 Definition

A plexus is a networking of pathways of the organism, ie veins, arteries, lymph vessels and nerves.

2 Classification

2.1 Plexus of nerves

Nerve plexus develope from adjoining nerve fibers from different segments of the spinal cord or ganglia to reticular fiber bonds. One distinguishes between somatic and autonomous nerve plexi. Autonomous ones are orientated topographically on other pathways mainly on arteries.

• Somatic nerve plexi:
  • Plexus cervicalis
  • Plexus brachialis
  • Plexus lumbalis
  • Plexus sacralis
• Autonomous nerve plexi:
  • Plexus coeliacus
  • Plexus cardiacus
  • Plexus pulmonalis and many more

2.2 Venous plexus

Venous plexi are networks of veins, which are connected to each other by anastomoses. They have different functions for example increasing the surface, cushion and tightening. Examples are:

• Plexus chorioideus
• Plexus pampiniformis
• Plexus venosus rectalis