Introduction
The solar plexus (Plexus solaris, lat. “solar plexus”) is an autonomous plexus of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers, as well as the union of three large ganglia. It lies in the abdominal cavity at the level of the 1st lumbar vertebra and serves to connect and transmit important information. This enables it to control the peristalsis of the intestine, for example.
Position of the solar plexus
The solar plexus lies approximately at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra or 1st lumbar vertebra. Topographically, it is located behind the stomach and the bursa omentalis and directly in front of the two legs (crura) of the diaphragm. It is grouped around the coeliac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery and the outlet of the renal artery.
The solar plexus is composed of two nerve plexuses, the coeliac plexus and the superior mesenteric plexus (plexus = nerve plexus). The nerves mostly come from the abdominal organs and run up through the thoracic cavity to the brain and vice versa. To be able to do this as protected as possible, they accompany the larger blood vessels.
The largest blood vessel in the chest and abdomen is the so-called aorta, the main artery. This runs along the back wall of the abdominal cavity and enters the thoracic cavity through a gap in the diaphragm. The nerves follow the aorta and form the solar plexus at the level between the 12th thoracic vertebra and the first lumbar vertebra.
If you project this forward onto the skin of the abdomen, you will find the solar plexus approximately one hand’s breadth below the sternum. The nerve plexus serves to connect and transmit important information. This enables the nervous system to regulate the functions of internal organs, for example the tension and slackening of the intestinal muscles (intestinal peristalsis) or the secretion of glands. This topic might also be of interest to you: The autonomic nervous system – mechanisms of action and function
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