plexukset

Plexuses are networks of nerves or blood vessels. In anatomy, the term is most commonly used to describe a branching network of nerves. These networks are formed by the joining of nerve fibers from different spinal nerves. The fibers then travel to their destination as a single nerve. This arrangement allows for the innervation of specific regions of the body by signals from multiple spinal cord segments.

The most well-known plexuses in the human body include the cervical plexus, which supplies nerves to the neck and diaphragm; the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limbs; the lumbar plexus, which serves the anterior thigh and abdomen; and the sacral plexus, which innervates the posterior thigh and lower leg. Injuries to these plexuses can result in a variety of neurological deficits, depending on the location and severity of the damage.

In addition to nervous tissue, the term plexus can also refer to a network of blood vessels. For example, the choroid plexus is a network of capillaries located within the ventricles of the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid. The placental plexus refers to the vascular network within the placenta responsible for nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and fetus. These vascular plexuses are crucial for the function of the organs they supply.