The liver is primarily innervated by the hepatic plexus, which contains both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers.
Here's a breakdown:
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Hepatic Plexus: This is the primary nerve network surrounding the liver. It's a complex network of nerve fibers that follows the hepatic artery and portal vein branches as they enter the liver at the porta hepatis.
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Sympathetic Nerves: These fibers originate from the celiac plexus. Sympathetic innervation generally influences blood vessel constriction and can affect glucose metabolism within the liver.
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Parasympathetic Nerves: These fibers come from the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve plays a role in various liver functions, though its exact function is still being researched. It's understood to impact bile secretion and potentially glycogen synthesis.
In summary, the liver receives innervation from the hepatic plexus, which is comprised of sympathetic fibers from the celiac plexus and parasympathetic fibers from the vagus nerve.
