6. Expose the branches of the vagal trunks to liver, stomach, and celiac ganglion.
Anterior and Posterior Vagus Nerves
Review the location of the vagus nerves in the thoracic cavity. The nerves terminate as the espophageal plexus. This plexus coalesces into the anterior and posterior vagal trunks above the diaphragm. They were originally right and left vagal trunks but become anterior and posterior as the stomach rotated. They pass through the diaphragm with the esophagus. In the abdomen the trunks are found in the lesser curvature of the stomach. The anterior vagal trunk is shown here on the anterior surface of the stomach and the lesser curvature. It supplies gastric branches and a branch that passes to the liver, a hepatic branch. The posterior vagal trunk is found more to the right and behind the esophagus. It likewise has gastric branches and a celiac branch that ends in a celiac ganglia. This branch conveys the parasympathetic fibers to the celiac plexus. The celiac plexus is comprised of the celiac ganglia found on either side of the root of the celiac artery. The right ganglion is shown under the probe. The left ganglion is grasped by the forceps. These are collateral ganglia of the sympathetic system and are the termination of the greater thoracic splachnic nerves. The vagal fibers simply pass through the ganglia without synapsing. Arising from the celiac ganglia are perivascular plexuses that follow branches of the celiac artery, distributing the autonomic nerves to the upper digestive tract.