Celiac ganglion : easy and brief discussion

Celiac ganglion  :

The celiac ganglia /coeliac ganglia are two large irregularly shaped masses of nerve tissue in the upper abdomen. 

They are  the largest ganglia  in the Autonomic nervous system

They are sometimes referred to as the semilunar ganglia or the solar ganglia.

•       The upper part of  each ganglion is joined by the greater splanchnic nerve, while the lower part, glion, receives the lesser splanchnic nerve and gives off the greater part of the renal plexus. 

The upper part of each ganglion is joined by the greater splanchnic nerve, while the lower part, which is segmented off and named the aorticorenal ganglion, receives the lesser splanchnic nerve and gives off the greater part of the renal plexus

•       Greater splanchnic nerve contain preganglionic fibre arises from the preganglionic neuron located in the thoracic 5-9 spinal cord segments 

•       Lesser  splanchnic nerve contain preganglionic fibre arises from the preganglionic neuron located in the thoracic 10-11 spinal cord segments

•       Celiac ganglion situated just lateral to the celiac trunk at the level of T12 & L 1 vertebra

•       The aorticorenal ganglia may be located anywhere in the general area of the junction of the renal arteries with the aorta.

•       These ganglia were found to be partly fused with the celiac ganglion in 4% on the right side and in 12% on the left.

•       All three thoracic splanchnic nerves (greater, lesser, and least) may have rami which terminate in the aorticorenal ganglia.

•       The least splanchnic terminated in the aorticorenal ganglion more often than the other nerves when the ganglion was located inferior to the renal artery. 

•       It is situated anterior to the crura of the diaphragm

•       It lies medial to supra renal gland

•       above the upper border of the body of pancreas

they innervate most of the digestive tract.

•       These ganglia contain neurons whose postganglionic axons innervate

•       the stomach,

•       liver,

•       gallbladder,

•       spleen,

•       kidney,

•       small intestine, and

•       the ascending and transverse colon.

•       They directly innervate the ovarian theca and secondary interstitial cells and exert an indirect action on the luteal cells. 

•       Summary of celiac ganglion

1. Postganglionic sympathetic neuron 

2. Pre and post ganglionic sympathetic fibres : preganglionic sympathetic neurons are located in the lateral horn of gray matter of spinal cord > ventral root of spinal nerve > trunk of spinal nerve > white rami communicans > sympathetic ganglion (no synapse ) > greater or lesser splanchnic nerve > celiac ganglion > synapse with post ganglionic neuron > post ganglionic fibres innervate abdominal viscera 

3. General visceral afferent fibres : general visceral afferent fibres collect sensory information from abdominal viscera > greater or lesser splanchnic nerve > sympathetic ganglion > white rami communicans > spinal nerve trunk > dorsal root of spinal nerve > dorsal root ganglion > posterior horn of spinal cord