Esophageal plexus


The esophageal plexus is formed by nerve fibers from two sources, branches of the vagus nerve and visceral branches of the sympathetic trunk. The esophageal plexus and the cardiac plexus contain the same types of fibers and are both considered thoracic autonomic plexus.

Parasympathetic fibers

1. The vagus nerve delivers two fiber types to the esophageal plexus:
Note: These vagal fibers in the esophageal plexus reform to make the anterior vagal trunk and the posterior vagal trunk. Anterior and posterior being terms in relation to the esophagus, a mnemonic for which is 'LARP': Left becomes Anterior, Right becomes Posterior.

Sympathetic fibers

2. The visceral branches of the sympathetic trunk also deliver two fiber types to the esophageal plexus