What is the Difference Between Meissner’s and Auerbach’s Plexus?

Meissner's and Auerbach's plexuses are two enteric nerve plexuses that play crucial roles in controlling various aspects of the digestive system. They are located in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract and have distinct functions:

Meissner's Plexus:

• Also known as the submucosal plexus.
• Located in the submucosal region between the circular muscle and mucosa.
• Responsible for controlling gastrointestinal secretion and local blood flow.
• The nerve bundles of the submucous plexus are finer than those of the myenteric plexus.

Auerbach's Plexus:

• Also known as the myenteric plexus.
• Located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of most of the digestive tract.
• Responsible for controlling gastrointestinal movements, including peristaltic waves and local muscular contractions.
• The myenteric plexus is principally responsible for the peristaltic movement of the bowels and can act independently from the central nervous system.

In summary, Meissner's plexus is mainly involved in controlling gastrointestinal secretion and local blood flow, while Auerbach's plexus is responsible for controlling gastrointestinal movements.

Comparative Table: Meissner’s vs Auerbach’s Plexus

Meissner's and Auerbach's plexuses are two enteric nerve plexuses that play crucial roles in the digestive system. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

In summary, Meissner's plexus is the inner plexus found in the submucosal tissue, responsible for controlling GI secretion and local blood flow, while Auerbach's plexus is the outer plexus situated between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers, responsible for controlling GI movements.