Nerve Supply to the Lung

Nerve Supply to the Lung Pulmonary plexus Receives afferent and efferent (parasympathetic preganglionic) fibers from the vagus nerve, joined by branches (sympathetic postganglionic fibers) from the sympathetic trunk and cardiac plexus. Is divided into the anterior pulmonary plexus , which lies in front of the root of the lung, and the posterior pulmonary plexus , which lies behind the root of the lung. Has branches that accompany the blood vessels and bronchi into the lung. Has sympathetic nerve fibers that dilate the lumina of the bronchi and constrict the pulmonary vessels, whereas parasympathetic fibers constrict the lumina , dilate the pulmonary vessels, and increase glandular secretion. Phrenic nerve Arises from the third through fifth cervical nerves (C3–C5) and lies in front of the anterior scalene muscle. Enters the thorax by passing deep to the subclavian vein and superficial to the subclavian arteries. Runs anterior to the root of the lung, whereas the vagus nerve runs posterior to the root of the lung. Is accompanied by the pericardiophrenic vessels of the internal thoracic vessels and descends between the mediastinal pleura and the pericardium. Innervates the fibrous pericardium, the mediastinal and diaphragmatic pleurae, and the diaphragm for motor and its central tendon for sensory. ◄.....Go back to the Gross Anatomy homepage