page_title: Nerve plexus
hierarchical_section_title: Nerve plexus
caption_attribution_description: Version 8.25 from the Textbook OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology Published May 18, 2016
context_page_description: A nerve plexus is a plexus of intersecting nerves. A nerve plexus is composed of afferent and efferent fibers that arise from the merging of the anterior rami of spinal nerves and blood vessels. There are five spinal nerve plexuses, except in the thoracic region, as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system. The nerves that arise from the plexuses have both sensory and motor functions. These functions include muscle contraction, the maintenance of body coordination and control, and the reaction to sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and pressure. There are several plexuses in the body, including:
  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
  Coccygeal plexus - serves a small region over the coccyx
  Autonomic Plexuses
  Celiac plexus - serves internal organs
  Auerbach's plexus - serves the gastrointestinal tract
  Meissner's plexus - serves the gastrointestinal tract
context_section_description: A nerve plexus is a plexus (branching network) of intersecting nerves. A nerve plexus is composed of afferent and efferent fibers that arise from the merging of the anterior rami of spinal nerves and blood vessels. There are five spinal nerve plexuses, except in the thoracic region, as well as other forms of autonomic plexuses, many of which are a part of the enteric nervous system. The nerves that arise from the plexuses have both sensory and motor functions. These functions include muscle contraction, the maintenance of body coordination and control, and the reaction to sensations such as heat, cold, pain, and pressure. There are several plexuses in the body, including:
  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
  Coccygeal plexus - serves a small region over the coccyx
  Autonomic Plexuses
  Celiac plexus (solar plexus) - serves internal organs
  Auerbach's plexus (myenteric plexus) - serves the gastrointestinal tract
  Meissner's plexus (submucosal plexus) - serves the gastrointestinal tract
  Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve - serves the palate and pharynx
  Cardiac plexus - serves the heart
caption: Superimposed image of the spinal plexuses on a human back.
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