Auerbach's plexus

Overview
Part of the enteric nervous system, Auerbach's plexus (or myenteric plexus) exists between the longitudinal and circular layers of muscularis externa in the gastrointestinal tract and provides motor innervation to both layers and secretomotor innervation to the mucosa.

It arises from cells in the Nucleus ala cinerea, the parasympathetic nucleus of origin for the tenth cranial nerve (Vagus), located in the medulla oblongata. The fibers are carried by both the anterior and posterior vagal nerves.

Eponym
The myenteric plexus is referred to as Auerbach's plexus for its first describer Leopold Auerbach.