Cardiac plexus

Cardiac Plexus

Diagram of the cardiac plexus

The cardiac plexus is a complex network of nerves located at the base of the heart. It plays a crucial role in the autonomic regulation of the heart, influencing both the heart rate and the force of cardiac contractions. The cardiac plexus is part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions.

Anatomy

The cardiac plexus is situated in the thoracic cavity, specifically around the aortic arch and the tracheal bifurcation. It is divided into two main parts:

• The superficial cardiac plexus
• The deep cardiac plexus

Superficial Cardiac Plexus

The superficial cardiac plexus is located beneath the aortic arch and in front of the right pulmonary artery. It receives fibers from the left superior cervical sympathetic ganglion and the left vagus nerve.

Deep Cardiac Plexus

The deep cardiac plexus is found between the aortic arch and the tracheal bifurcation. It receives contributions from both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic fibers originate from the cervical and upper thoracic ganglia, while the parasympathetic fibers come from the vagus nerve.

Function

The cardiac plexus is responsible for the autonomic innervation of the heart. It modulates the heart's activity by:

• Increasing heart rate and force of contraction through sympathetic stimulation
• Decreasing heart rate through parasympathetic stimulation

The balance between these two influences allows the heart to respond appropriately to the body's needs, such as during exercise or rest.

Clinical Significance

Disorders of the cardiac plexus can lead to various cardiac conditions. For example, excessive sympathetic stimulation can result in tachycardia, while excessive parasympathetic activity can cause bradycardia. Understanding the cardiac plexus is essential for diagnosing and treating autonomic dysfunctions of the heart.

Related Pages

• Autonomic nervous system
• Vagus nerve
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Heart