Learning Modules - Medical Gross Anatomy
Autonomics of the Thorax - Page 10 of 12

    
ESOPHAGUS - PARASYMPATHETIC

The esophageal plexus of nerves is formed primarily by the right and left vagus nerves and supplies the lower two-thirds of this organ. In forming the plexus, the right vagus will pass primarily to the back of the esophagus to become the POSTERIOR VAGAL TRUNK as it passes through the diaphragm, while the left vagus will pass to the front to become the ANTERIOR VAGAL TRUNK. These trunks will pass through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm to supply parasympathetics to abdominal viscera. As with the cardiac and pulmonary plexuses, presynaptic parasympathetic fibers will synapse within ganglia located in the wall of the esophagus and short postsynaptic fibers will innervate the organ. Parasympathetic stimulation of the esophagus results in the rhythmic contraction of esophageal smooth muscle, or peristalsis, allowing food to pass into the stomach.


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