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 and secretomotor innervation to the mucosa, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic input, whereas Meissner's plexus has only parasympathetic fibers.
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 control GI tract motility.[2]
[edit] Role In Disease
A decrease in ganglion cell density in Auerbach's Plexus has been linked to the condition achalasia[3][4].
[edit] Eponym
The myenteric plexus is referred to as Auerbach's plexus for its first describer Leopold Auerbach.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ myenteric+plexus at eMedicine Dictionary
- ^ Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hoehn, seventh edition
- ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8747084
- ^ http://ukpmc.ac.uk/articlerender.cgi?artid=1158363
- ^ Who Named It?
[edit] External links
