Auerbach's plexus

Nerve: Auerbach's plexus
The myenteric plexus from the rabbit. X 50.
LAYERS: serosa longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus circular muscle submucosal plexus submucosal mucosal
Latin	plexus myentericus
Gray's	subject #248 1177
MeSH	Myenteric+Plexus

A part of the enteric nervous system, Auerbach's plexus (or myenteric plexus), exists between the longitudinal and circular layers of muscularis externa in the gastrointestinal tract and provides motor innervation to both layers of the mucosa, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic input, whereas Meissner's plexus has only parasympathetic fibers and provides secretomotor innervation to the mucosa nearest the lumen of the gut.

It arises from cells in the nucleus ala cinerea, the parasympathetic nucleus of origin for the tenth cranial nerve (vagus), located in the medulla oblongata. The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. It is found in the muscles of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine.^[1] The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the gastrointestinal tract and controls GI tract motility.^[2]

Role in disease

A decrease in ganglion cell density in Auerbach's plexus has been linked to the condition achalasia.^[3][4]

Eponym

The myenteric plexus is referred to as Auerbach's plexus for its first describer Leopold Auerbach.^[5]

See also

• Submucous plexus
• Enteric nervous system

References

1. ^ myenteric+plexus at eMedicine Dictionary
2. ^ Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hoehn, seventh edition
3. ^ . PMID 8747084. 
4. ^ . PMC 1158363. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1158363. 
5. ^ Who Named It?

External links

• Slide at ucla.edu
• Histology at OU 49_09
• Histology at BU 21703loa
• Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 885