Description
The thoracic plexuses are weblike collections of autonomic nerve axons found in the thorax that serve the viscera and organs of the thoracic cavity. The major thoracic plexuses serve the lungs, esophagus, and heart.
The lungs are served by anterior and posterior pulmonary plexuses, which are paired and found on both the left and right primary bronchi. These are contiguous with and sometimes considered subdivisions of the cardiac plexus.
The esophageal plexuses are primarily composed of vagal parasympathetic fibers and are found on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the esophagus. These plexuses condense to give rise to the anterior and posterior vagal trunks in the upper abdomen.
The cardiac plexus surrounds the aortic arch and upper portion of the heart. It is subdivided into superficial and deep plexuses, an atrial plexus, and left and right coronary plexuses, and also gives rise to the pulmonary plexuses.
