Solar Plexus: What It Is, Characteristics, Functions And Associated Pathologies
The solar plexus is a nervous network composed of several nerve fibers and ganglia that connects with multiple organs in the abdominal cavity.
This structure is related to the sensation of pain in various viscera according to scientific medicine, while the alternative considers that it may be behind problems on a psychological level.
Let’s see below this important structure and how it has been important to Eastern beliefs.
The solar plexus: what it is and where it is located
The solar plexus, also known as the celiac plexus, is a nervous network composed of a cluster of nerve fibers and interconnected ganglia, which belong to the ganglia of the prevertebral group or abdominal prevertebral plexus.
This structure with nerves is known as “solar” due to the fact that its shape resembles that of a sun, since the nerve fibers emerge from it radially.
The solar plexus ganglia are located anterior to the abdominal aorta artery, right at the point where the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac trunk emerge at the level of the seventh dorsal vertebra, immediately below the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm, behind the stomach. This structure surrounds the abdominal aorta, the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, and is also related to other structures:
Parts and connections of the solar plexus
The celiac plexus is a nervous structure formed by cell bodies of afferent nerves, cell bodies of efferent nerves and neuronal axons interconnected with each other. In this plexus, nerve fibers from the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system combine
The number of nodes can vary, with generally one to five interconnected nodes, although it is normal for there to be two large, easily distinguishable celiac nodes. The diameter of these nodes is also variable, ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 cm.
The ganglia that make up the solar plexus receive:
On the other hand, Many other secondary plexuses are connected to the celiac plexus A large part of the autonomic innervation of the abdominal viscera comes from all of them, including the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as the innervation of the blood vessels that supply them. Specifically, these subplexes are:
Its role in pain and medical implications
It is known that the solar plexus It is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information, that is, the sensation of pain In this case, this structure interprets the nociceptive signals that it can receive from various organs, especially those in the abdominal cavity, as pain sensations.
Among them we find mainly those of the upper abdomen, including the liver, pancreas, biliary tract, spleen and intestine up to the first part of the transverse colon.
As a consequence of the organs from which it receives signals, One of the most common conditions of the solar plexus is abdominal pain, caused by hypersensitivity to nociceptive stimuli of this structure. Added to this, its position halfway between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the navel also influences feeling severe pain in the abdomen when this cluster of nerves has a medical problem.
The solar plexus It is one of the places where patients with abdominal and pancreatic cancer are operated on One of the therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing the pain that the patient may feel consists of blocking the innervation of the solar plexus so that the patient does not notice with such intensity the discomfort and pain that his diseased organs may cause.
The solar plexus It is not only known in the field of medicine, but also in a more parascientific and pseudoscientific nature. New Age According to Hindu and Buddhist mythology, this structure is the residence of the third chakra.
The solar plexus chakra is called “Manipura” in Sanskrit and is also known as the navel, stomach, liver or spleen chakra. This is the third charka of the feelings that Hindus believe the body has, the color of this particular chakra being yellow or deep gold.
The manipura chakra also has to do with the small intestine, the gallbladder and the center of the spine. Its element is fire, its symbol is the ram and it is believed that it is responsible for emotional energy and the center of personality. Naturally, all this lacks scientific evidence, being a question more typical of mysticism and spirituality, but it turns out to be quite curious what it is associated with and what problems the alteration of this chakra could cause according to Eastern beliefs.
The solar plexus chakra would be the one that governs the way we relate to the world and other people This would be, according to Hinduism and Buddhism, where social identity would be found and what governs our self-control, will and sense of coordination. It is responsible for our sympathies and antipathies and our ability to establish more or less lasting sentimental ties.
In accordance with its form, the star with which it is associated is the Sun and its archetype is the worker or the warrior. According to Hindu mythology, the energy given off by this chakra helps us reach emotional maturity, making us responsible for our actions and the quality of the relationships we establish with others. The manipura chakra is a decisive one in the question of whether we are going to submit to other people or, on the contrary, we are going to exercise power, perhaps in an abusive way.
Its relationship with the Buddhist and Hindu religions
According to Buddhist and Hindu medicine, both pseudotherapies without scientific rigor, having the solar plexus blocked on a spiritual level poses a series of problems and, also, it warns us in the form of signals of both physiological health and personality. Among the symptoms of having the solar plexus chakra blocked we would find personality, mood and medical problems.
