plexus myentericus

9.9

A network of nerves in the gut wall that controls muscle movement

noun
/ˈplɛksəs ˌmaɪənˈtɛrɪkəs/

Specialized

: plexo mientérico

The plexus myentericus plays a crucial role in coordinating smooth muscle contractions throughout the gut.

Examples

Damage to the plexus myentericus can lead to serious digestive motility disorders.
The plexus myentericus controls gut movements.
A biopsy revealed inflammation around the plexus myentericus in the patient's intestinal tissue.
In humans, the plexus myentericus is essential for digestion.
A biopsy revealed inflammation around the plexus myentericus in the patient's intestinal tissue.
Damage to the plexus myentericus can lead to serious digestive motility disorders.
The plexus myentericus plays a crucial role in coordinating smooth muscle contractions throughout the gut.

Synonyms

myenteric plexus

vsplexus myentericus

Specialized

8.3

A network of nerves between the gut muscles that controls movement of food

specifies this network only in the esophagus stomach and intestines

Surface Forms

plexus myentericus singular

plexus myenterici plural

Morphology

plexus + myentericus

This is a technical Latin medical term: even if a learner knows 'plexus' as a network, the second element 'myentericus' is a specialized combining form (muscle/intestinal) not recognizable to a B1 learner and is not listed in the provided dictionary entry. Because the specific anatomical meaning (the nerve network in the gut) cannot be derived from everyday knowledge of the parts, the expression is opaque to typical intermediate learners.

Etymology

Plexus myentericus comes from words meaning a nerve network and the gut muscles: plexus means 'network' and myentericus links 'muscle' and 'intestine'. It is a group of nerves that sits beside the gut muscles and helps move food along, so the name explains its job.