This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Deep cardiac plexus (anatomy)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The deep cardiac plexus is an anatomical division of the cardiac plexus; it lies more posterior than the smaller superficial cardiac plexus, but both are connected by a number of fine interneurones. It is located within the mediastinum anteroinferior to the bifurcation of the trachea, posterior to the arch of the aorta and to the right of the ligamentum arteriosum.

The deep part of the cardiac plexus receives nerve fibres from both pre-ganglionic parasympathetic and post-ganglionic sympathetic nerves:

  • vagus nerve:
    • superior cardiac nerves:
      • right side superior and inferior cervical branches
      • left side from superior cervical branch only
    • inferior cardiac nerves: from the right side only
  • recurrent laryngeal nerves on both sides
  • sympathetic nervous system:
    • cervical cardiac nerves from all cervical ganglia except the left superior ganglion
    • thoracic fibres from the upper five thoracic ganglia

The distribution of nerve fibres from the plexus to the heart is considered within the submenu.


Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.