Nerve
Pulmonary plexus
Nerve connections around the lung roots
High-yield
Vagal cholinergic output is a major control of human airway constriction and secretion. Beta-adrenergic relaxation of airway muscle should not be equated with abundant direct sympathetic innervation of that muscle.
Overview
Vagal branches and sympathetic fibers meet around each lung root and continue along the airways and vessels. The networks are described as anterior and posterior pulmonary plexuses. They contain both autonomic output and visceral sensory pathways.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Pulmonary branches of the vagus nerves and branches of the sympathetic trunks
- Root value
- Vagal component: cranial nerve X. Sympathetic component: upper thoracic outflow; described segment limits vary
- Course
- Anterior and posterior networks at the lung roots, continuing beside bronchial and vascular branches
- Motor
- Parasympathetic control of airway smooth muscle and glands; sympathetic influence particularly on vessels, with additional noncholinergic neural pathways
- Sensory
- Vagal visceral afferents report mechanical and chemical airway stimuli and contribute to cough and breathing reflexes
Clinical correlation
Airway sensory fibers contribute to cough and other protective reflexes. Their responses can change in airway disease; a lung symptom cannot be explained simply by calling the entire lung insensitive to pain.
Frequently asked questions
What type of nerve is the pulmonary plexus?
Vagal component: cranial nerve X. Sympathetic component: upper thoracic outflow; described segment limits vary.
What muscles does the pulmonary plexus supply?
Parasympathetic control of airway smooth muscle and glands; sympathetic influence particularly on vessels, with additional noncholinergic neural pathways.
What is the sensory distribution of the pulmonary plexus?
The pulmonary plexus carries sensation from the vagal visceral afferents report mechanical and chemical airway stimuli and contribute to cough and breathing reflexes.
What is the course of the pulmonary plexus?
Anterior and posterior networks at the lung roots, continuing beside bronchial and vascular branches.