Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large network of sympathetic nerves in the abdomen: The coeliac plexus is a significant bundle of nerve fibers and ganglia located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach. It is a major part of the autonomic nervous system, primarily involved in transmitting sympathetic nerve signals to many abdominal organs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully avoided the coeliac plexus during the procedure.
  • A block of the coeliac plexus can be used to manage severe abdominal pain.

Advanced Usage

• "coeliac plexus block": A medical procedure involving the injection of anesthetic or neurolytic agents into the coeliac plexus to relieve chronic pain, often from abdominal cancers.
  • The patient experienced significant pain relief after the coeliac plexus block.

Variants and Related Words

• Celiac plexus: An alternative spelling, primarily used in American English.
• Solar plexus: A common, though less precise, colloquial term that can refer to the same general abdominal nerve network or the area of the upper abdomen.
  • The boxer was hit in the solar plexus.

Synonyms

• Solar plexus (in general, non-technical contexts)
• Abdominal autonomic plexus (a more general descriptive term)

Related Phrases

• Plexus: A general term for a network of nerves or vessels.
  • The brachial plexus supplies nerves to the arm.

Noun

1. a large plexus of sympathetic nerves in the abdomen behind the stomach