• synonyms

solar plexus

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  1. Also called celiac plexus. Anatomy. a network of nerves situated at the upper part of the abdomen, behind the stomach and in front of the aorta.
  2. a point on the stomach wall, just below the sternum, where a blow will affect this nerve center.

Origin of solar plexus

First recorded in 1765–75; so called from the raylike pattern of the nerve fibers

Examples from the Web for solar plexus

Historical Examples

  • This I applied over the solar-plexus and to the anterior surface of his body.

    Lincoln's Last Hours

    Charles A. Leale

  • And then, "Chance blow in the solar-plexus," someone was saying.

    Paradise Garden

    George Gibbs

  • "It's a solar-plexus retort, just the same," said Carraway, as he shook his head and went to bed.

    The Booming of Acre Hill

    John Kendrick Bangs

  • Knocked 'is wind out, you 'ave. Struck 'im bang in the solar-plexus, blowed if you didn't!

    Adventures of Bindle

    Herbert George Jenkins

  • When Mrs. B. gets 'old of a broom, or a mop, the safest thing to do is to draw in your solar-plexus an' run.

    Mrs. Bindle

    Hebert Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for solar plexus

solar plexus

  1. Also called: coeliac plexus anatomy the network of sympathetic nerves situated behind the stomach that supply the abdominal organs
  2. (not in technical usage) the part of the stomach beneath the diaphragm; pit of the stomach

Word Origin

C18: referring to resemblance between the radial network of nerves and ganglia and the rays of the sun

solar plexus in Medicine

solar plexus

  1. celiac plexus