superior mesenteric (nerve) plexus

Definition: an autonomic plexus, a continuation of the abdominal aortic plexus, sending nerves to the intestines and forming with the vagus the subserous, myenteric, and submucous plexuses; this periarterial plexus is so dense that it results in the appearance of a characteristic perivascular “collar” distinguishing the superior mesenteric artery from the superior mesenteric vein in several imaging modalities such as with ultrasound.

Synonym(s): plexus (nervosus) mesentericus superiorTA