Parasympathetic Vagal Path to Abdominal Viscera

Origin:
   parasympathetic nucleus of the vagus nerve

Preganglionic Pathway:
   vagus nerve, vagosympathetic trunk, vagus nerve (thorax),
   dorsal & ventral vagal branches (bilateral),
   dorsal & ventral vagal nerve trunks,
   dorsal vagal nerve trunk joins celiacomesenteric plexus,
   ventral vagal nerve trunk goes directly to stomach & liver

Ganglion:
   terminal ganglia (within organs innervated)

Postganglionic Pathway:
   microscopic nerve plexuses within organs, e.g.,
   myenteric & submucosal nerve plexuses within the gut wall

Target Organs:
      smooth muscle & glands of alimentary tract (to descending colon);
      liver; gallbladder; pancreas; & cranial ureter


pre-ganglionic path postganglionic terminal ganglia


Cadaver Images
(click to view enlarged)

Left. The left vagus nerve divides into dorsal and ventral branches. Right and left branches combine to form vagal nerve trunks which enter the abdomen.

Right. Within the abdomen, the dorsal vagal nerve trunk joins the celiacomesenteric nerve plexus. Vagal preganglionic axons run in plexuses on celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries to innervate terminal ganglia within abdominal viscera.



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