Solar plexus: what is it, characteristics, functions and associated pathologies

The solar plexus is a nerve network composed of several nerve fibers and ganglia that connects with multiple organs of the abdominal cavity.

This structure is related to the sensation of pain in various viscera according to medicine while the alternative considers that it may be behind problems at the level psychological.

Let us now look at this important structure and how it has been of importance to Eastern beliefs.

• Related article: "Parts of the Nervous System: anatomical structures and functions"

The solar plexus: what it is and where it is located

The solar plexus, also known as the celiac plexus, is a nerve network composed of a cluster of nerve fibers and interconnected ganglia, which belong to the ganglia of the prevertebral group or abdominal prevertebral plexus.

This structure with nerves is known as "solar" due to the fact that its shape resembles that of a sun, since the nerve fibers emerge from it radially.

The ganglia of the solar plexus are anterior to the abdominal aorta artery

, just at the point where the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac trunk exit at the level of the seventh dorsal vertebra, immediately below the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm, behind the stomach. This structure surrounds the abdominal aorta, the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, and is also related to other structures:

• Above: with the pillars of the diaphragm muscle.
• From behind: with the vertebral bodies of the thoracic vertebra TXII and the lumbar vertebra LI and with the pillars of the diaphragm muscle.
• Laterally: with the adrenal glands.
• Ahead: the pancreas.

Parts and Connections of the Solar Plexus

The celiac plexus is a nerve structure made up of afferent nerve cell bodies, efferent nerve cell bodies, and interconnected neuronal axons. In this plexus, nerve fibers of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system are combined..

The number of nodes can vary, with generally one to five interconnected nodes, although the normal thing is that there are two easily distinguishable large celiac nodes. The diameter of these nodes is also variable, ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 cm.

The ganglia that make up the solar plexus receive:

• Preganglionic sympathetic fibers of the inferior thoracic splanchnic nerves (mator splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, and inferior splanchnic nerve)
• Parasympathetic fibers of the vagus nerve.

On the other hand, Many other secondary plexuses are connected to the celiac plexus. From all of them come a large part of the autonomic innervation of the abdominal viscera, including the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as the innervation of the blood vessels that irrigate. Specifically, these subplexes are:

• Hepatic plexus: liver and gallbladder
• Gastric plexus: stomach
• Splenic plexus: spleen
• Pancreatic plexus: pancreas

Its role in pain and medical implications

It is known that the solar plexus is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information, that is, the sensation of pain. In this case, this structure interprets pain sensations as the nociceptive signs It can receive from various organs, especially those of the abdominal cavity.

Among them we find mainly those of the upper abdomen, including the liver, pancreas, biliary tract, spleen and intestine up to the first part of the transverse colon.

As a consequence of the organs from which it receives signals, one of the most common conditions of the solar plexus is abdominal pain, caused by hypersensitivity to nociceptive stimuli of this structure. Added to this, its position midway between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the umbilicus influences also in feeling a marked pain in the abdomen when this cluster of nerves have a problem doctor.

The solar plexus It is one of the places in which it is intervened in patients with abdominal and pancreatic cancer. One of the therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing the pain that the patient may feel is to block the innervation of the solar plexus so that the patient does not notice so much aches and pains that his diseased organs can produce you.

• You may be interested in: "Nerve ganglion: types and functions of this part of the nervous system"

The solar plexus and the third chakra

The solar plexus It is not only known in the field of medicine, but also in the more para-scientific and pseudoscientific New Age character.. According to Hindu and Buddhist mythology, this structure is the residence of the third chakra.

The solar plexus chakra is called "Manipura" in Sanskrit and is also known as the navel, stomach, liver or spleen chakra. It is the third charka of the feels that the Hindus believe that the body possesses, the color of this particular chakra being yellow or deep gold.

The manipura chakra also has to do with the small intestine, the gallbladder and the center of the spine. Its element is fire, its symbol is the ram, and it is believed to be in charge of emotional energy and the center of the personality. Naturally, all this lacks scientific evidence, being a question more typical of mysticism and spirituality, but It turns out to be quite curious what it is associated with and what problems could cause the alteration of this chakra according to the beliefs oriental.

The solar plexus chakra would be the one that governs the way in which we relate to the world and other people. This would be, according to Hinduism and Buddhism, where the social identity would be found and the one that governs our self-control, will and sense of coordination. It is responsible for our sympathies and antipathies and our ability to establish more or less lasting sentimental ties.

According to its shape, the star to which it is associated is the Sun and its archetype is the worker or the warrior. According to Hindu mythology, the energy that this chakra gives off helps us reach maturity emotional, making ourselves responsible for our actions and the quality of the relationships we establish with the rest. It is the manipura chakra that is decisive in the question of whether we are going to submit to other people or, on the contrary, we are going to exercise power, perhaps abusively.

Its relationship with the Buddhist and Hindu religions

According to Buddhist and Hindu medicine, both unscientific pseudo-therapies, having the solar plexus blocked on a spiritual level poses a series of problems and, also, it warns us in the form of signs of both physiological health and personality. Among the symptoms of having the solar plexus chakra blocked we would find personality, mood and medical problems.

Personality problems:

• Excessive shyness
• Procrastination
• Megalomaniac cravings
• Inconstancy and few efforts
• Individualism and rebellion
• Jealousy and envy
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Desire to dominate or be overwhelmed

Mood and psychological problems:

• Constant anger
• Stress
• Depression, apathy, and irritability
• Permanent fatigue
• Stage fright
• Decision making problems
• Concentration problems

Medical problems:

• Stomach ulcers
• Diabetes
• Indigestion and intestinal tract complications
• Hypertension