Esplácnicos

Esplácnicos is a term derived from the Greek word "esplánchna," meaning viscera or internal organs. In medical and anatomical contexts, it primarily refers to structures related to the internal organs, particularly those within the abdominal cavity. The term is most commonly associated with the esplácnicos nerves, also known as the splanchnic nerves.

These nerves are a crucial component of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions. The esplácnicos nerves are not single nerves but rather a collection of several paired nerves—including the greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerves—that carry nerve fibers, mainly sympathetic, from the thoracic region of the spinal cord towards the abdomen. Their primary function is to transmit signals that regulate the activity of the visceral organs, such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen. This regulation includes influencing blood flow, glandular secretion, and gut motility.

The clinical significance of the esplácnicos nerves is notable in procedures like splanchnicectomy, where these nerves are blocked or severed to manage chronic pain conditions, most famously certain types of intractable abdominal pain. Understanding the pathway and function of the esplácnicos nerves is essential for both diagnostic purposes and surgical interventions. While the term "esplácnicos" is rooted in historical anatomical language, it remains a precise descriptor for these specific neural pathways governing our internal organs.