Nerve
Celiac ganglion
Prevertebral sympathetic relay beside the celiac artery
High-yield
Preganglionic sympathetic fibers can synapse here. Vagal parasympathetic fibers pass toward ganglia nearer the organs without using the celiac ganglion as their relay.
Overview
The celiac ganglia contain sympathetic neuron cell bodies near the origin of the celiac trunk. Connections between these ganglia and nearby autonomic nerves form part of the celiac plexus; outgoing fibers accompany abdominal arteries toward their targets.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Receives preganglionic sympathetic input prominently through the greater thoracic splanchnic nerve.
- Root value
- Greater-splanchnic input commonly arises from T5–T9; this is a typical contribution, not the full range of all plexus inputs.
- Course
- Ganglia lie near T12–L1, anterior to the diaphragmatic crura and beside the celiac origin.
- Motor
- Postganglionic sympathetic fibers influence vascular tone and visceral activity in celiac-artery territories.
- Sensory
- Visceral afferent fibers pass through the region; foregut pain commonly has an epigastric distribution.
Clinical correlation
Upper-abdominal pain pathways pass through the surrounding plexus. This relationship explains why celiac-plexus interventions are used in selected patients with severe pancreatic or other upper-abdominal pain.
Frequently asked questions
What are the roots of the celiac ganglion?
Greater-splanchnic input commonly arises from T5–T9; this is a typical contribution, not the full range of all plexus inputs.
What muscles does the celiac ganglion supply?
The celiac ganglion supplies the postganglionic sympathetic fibers influence vascular tone and visceral activity in celiac-artery territories.
What is the sensory distribution of the celiac ganglion?
Visceral afferent fibers pass through the region; foregut pain commonly has an epigastric distribution.
What is the course of the celiac ganglion?
Ganglia lie near T12–L1, anterior to the diaphragmatic crura and beside the celiac origin.