Pulmonary plexus
Pulmonary plexus is a network of nerves that provides innervation to the lungs. It is formed by the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk, and is divided into an anterior and a posterior plexus. The plexus contains both sensory and motor fibers, which regulate the functions of the lungs and bronchi, such as the dilation and constriction of the bronchial muscles and the secretion of mucus.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The pulmonary plexus is located in the chest, near the root of the lung. It is formed by the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. The plexus is divided into an anterior and a posterior plexus, which wrap around the root of the lung.
The anterior plexus is smaller and is located in front of the root of the lung. It is formed by branches from the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk.
The posterior plexus is larger and is located behind the root of the lung. It is formed by branches from the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk.
Function[edit | edit source]
The pulmonary plexus contains both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory fibers provide sensation to the lungs and bronchi, while the motor fibers regulate the functions of the lungs and bronchi.
The motor fibers cause the dilation and constriction of the bronchial muscles, which control the flow of air into and out of the lungs. They also regulate the secretion of mucus, which helps to keep the airways moist and trap foreign particles.
The sensory fibers provide sensation to the lungs and bronchi, allowing the body to respond to changes in the respiratory system. For example, if the airways become inflamed or irritated, the sensory fibers will send signals to the brain, which can trigger a cough or other response.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Damage to the pulmonary plexus can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the extent and location of the damage. These can include difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. In severe cases, damage to the pulmonary plexus can lead to respiratory failure.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Pulmonary plexus Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
