The human celiac ganglion and its splanchnic nerves

Forty-six dissections of the celiac ganglion were performed on post-mortem specimens, and the form, location and nervous connections of the ganglion on both sides were studied. The triangular form was the most common observed, the ganglions were found to envelope both the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, putting them closely together, and forming a celiacomesenteric complex similar to that found in the pig. The splanchnic nerves penetrated the diaphragm through a special triangular opening lateral to the crus, in 70-91%. These findings concerning form and nervous connections are somewhat different from those reported in the literature.