The superior mesenteric ganglion is a

ganglion A ganglion is a group of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. In the somatic nervous system this includes dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglia among a few others. In the autonomic nervous system there are both sympatheti ...

in the upper part of the

superior mesenteric plexus The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the lower part of the celiac plexus, receiving a branch from the junction of the right vagus nerve with the plexus. It surrounds the superior mesenteric artery, accompanies it into the mesentery, ...

. It lies close to the origin of the

superior mesenteric artery In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the ...

Structure

The superior mesenteric ganglion is the synapsing point for one of the pre- and post-synaptic nerves of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Specifically, contributions to the superior mesenteric ganglion arise from the

lesser splanchnic nerve Thoracic splanchnic nerves are splanchnic nerves that arise from the sympathetic trunk in the thorax and travel inferiorly to provide sympathetic supply to the abdomen. The nerves contain preganglionic sympathetic fibers and general visceral affer ...

, which typically arises from the spinal nerve roots of T10 and T11. This nerve goes on to innervate the

jejunum The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine in humans and most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. Its lining is specialised for the absorption by enterocytes of small nutrient molecules which have been previous ...

, the

ileum The ileum () is the final section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms posterior intestine or distal intestine ma ...

, the

ascending colon ''Ascending'' is a science fiction novel by the Canadian writer James Alan Gardner, published in 2001 by HarperCollins Publishers under its various imprints.HarperCollins, Avon, HarperCollins Canada, SFBC/Avon; paperback edition 2001, Eos Books. ...

and the

transverse colon In human anatomy, the transverse colon is the longest and most movable part of the colon. Anatomical position It crosses the abdomen from the ascending colon at the right colic flexure (hepatic flexure) with a downward convexity to the descend ...

. While the sympathetic input of the

midgut The midgut is the portion of the embryo from which most of the intestines develop. After it bends around the superior mesenteric artery, it is called the "midgut loop". It comprises the portion of the alimentary canal from the end of the foregut ...

is innervated by the sympathetic nerves of the thorax, parasympathetic innervation is done by the

vagus nerve The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right ...

, which travels along the plexuses that arise from the anterior and posterior vagal trunks of the stomach.Nervous System and Sensory Organs

References

External links

* http://anatomy.uams.edu/anatomyhtml/intestines.html * Sympathetic nervous system {{Neuroanatomy-stub