THORACIC WHITE RAMUS COMMUNICANS IN MAN 83 
in the figures (figs. 1 to 4). Rami which were undoubtedly white 
are marked with the letter w. Others are gray (g); mixed (m), 
or unidentified as to the nature of contained fibers. In all of 
the figures with the exception of figure 1, r, the first thoracic 
nerve gives off one or more white rami which in most instances 
connect with the stellate ganglion. In.the case of the specimen 
shown in figure 1, 7, the nature of all of the rami could not be 
determined. ° 
To summarize, we have found, in each of twelve laboratory 
bodies, as’ well as in fresh autopsy subjects, one or more white 
rami communicantes arising from the first thoracic spinal nerve 
and connecting, as a rule, with the stellate ganglion. These 
rami contain a relatively high percentage of large medullated 
fibers. We have not found the inferior cervical and first thoracic 
sympathetic ganglia invariably fused, as they are stated to be 
by Miller, although this was the usual condition. Of the 
numerous rami which we have seen connecting the eighth cervical 
nerve with the inferior cervical or the stellate ganglion, none 
have been shown to be either white or mixed in character. How- 
ever, it does not seem impossible that in an occasional subject 
the highest white ramus may arise from the eighth cervical nerve 
or, with a posterior arrangement of the branchial plexus, as 
Langley has suggested, from the second thoracic nerve. While 
admitting these possibilities, we feel justified in concluding that 
the normal condition in man is that which we have described 
above. 
