Editing Myenteric plexus (section)

{{short description|Part of the enteric nervous system}}
{{Infobox nerve
| Name        = Myenteric plexus
| Latin       = plexus myentericus, plexus Auerbachi
| Image       = Gray1071.png
| Caption     = The myenteric plexus from the rabbit. X 50.
| Image2      = GI Organization.svg
| Caption2    =
| Innervates  =
| BranchFrom  =
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}}
{{Gastrointestinal wall series}}
The '''myenteric plexus''' (or '''[[Leopold Auerbach|Auerbach]]'s plexus''') provides motor innervation to both layers of the [[muscular layer]] of the gut, having both parasympathetic and sympathetic input (although present ganglion cell bodies belong to [[Parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic]] innervation, fibers from sympathetic innervation also reach the plexus), whereas the [[submucous plexus]] provides [[secretomotor]] innervation to the [[mucous membrane|mucosa]] nearest the [[lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] of the gut.

It arises from cells in the [[vagal trigone]] also known as the nucleus ala cinerea, the parasympathetic nucleus of origin for the tenth cranial nerve ([[vagus nerve]]), located in the [[medulla oblongata]]. The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves. The myenteric plexus is the major nerve supply to the [[gastrointestinal]] tract and controls GI tract [[motility]].<ref>Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hoehn, seventh edition{{page needed|date=May 2015}}</ref>

According to preclinical studies, 30% of myenteric plexus' neurons are [[enteric sensory neurons]], thus Auerbach's plexus has also a sensory component.<ref>Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Vol. 194: Sensory Nerves, Brendan J. Canning, Domenico Spina. Springer. Page 341.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/gut.47.suppl_4.iv15 |pmid=11076898 |pmc=1766806 |title=Anatomy and physiology of the enteric nervous system |journal=Gut |volume=47 |issue=90004 |pages=iv15–9; discussion iv26 |year=2000 |last1=Costa |first1=M |last2=Brookes |first2=S. J. |last3=Hennig |first3=G. W. }}</ref>