MH 123 Colon

Parasympathetic Ganglion

Two nerve plexuses of automatic ganglia and nerves are found in the wall of the intestines.

• Meissner's (or submucosal) Plexus - provides secretory innervation of goblet cells in the epithelium and motor innervation of a thin layer of smooth muscle (muscularis mucosae). This plexus is located in the connective tissue (lamina propria) that lies between these two structures.
  • Ganglion Cells - nerve cell bodies with prominent nuclei and nucleoli with basophilic cytoplasm. Unlike sympathetic ganglia, nuclei are eccentrically located within the cells.
  • Satellite Cells (or capsule cells) - glial cells with small nuclei at the periphery of nerve cell bodies.

  Examples of other ganglia: #1,#2,#3

• Auerbach's (or myenteric) Plexus - provides motor innervation to the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of muscle cells (muscularis externa). The plexus is located in between these two layers of smooth muscle.
  • Ganglion Cells - large, nerve cell bodies with large nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and basophilic cytoplasm. Unlike sympathetic ganglia, nuclei are eccentrically located within the cells.
  • Satellite Cells (or capsule cells) - glial cells at the periphery of nerve cell bodies.

  Examples of other ganglia: #1,#2,#3,#4,#5