Definition

1. Noun:
   • A network of nerves supplying the heart and nearby structures: The cardiac plexus is an anatomical structure, a complex web of interconnected nerve fibers located near the base of the heart. It is a crucial part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating involuntary cardiac functions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully avoided the cardiac plexus during the procedure.
  • Stimulation of the cardiac plexus can affect heart rate.
  • The sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers converge at the cardiac plexus.

Advanced Usage

• "Plexus of the heart": A less common synonym emphasizing its location.
  • The autonomic control originates from the plexus of the heart.

Variants and Related Words

• Cardiac (adj): Pertaining to the heart.
  • Cardiac muscle is different from skeletal muscle.
• Plexus (n): A network of intersecting nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels.
  • The brachial plexus supplies nerves to the arm.
• Cardiac nerves (n pl): The specific nerve bundles that contribute to forming the cardiac plexus.

Synonyms

• Cardiac nerve plexus: A full, descriptive synonym.
• Heart plexus: A simple, descriptive term.

Related Phrases

• Innervation of the heart: Refers to the nerve supply to the heart, in which the cardiac plexus is the primary structure.
• Autonomic regulation of the heart: Describes the functional purpose of the cardiac plexus.

Noun

1. a plexus of nerves supplying the heart and nearby structures