3G8 



THE SMALL IXTESTINE. 



of the arteries, the branches of the nerves, retaining still a wide plexiform 

 arrangement, pass onwards to the different parts of the intestine between the 

 two folds of the mesentery, and finally, separating somewhat from the blood- 

 vessels, reach the intestine in very numerous branches to be distriliuted in its 

 coats. Passing first between the longitudinal and circular layer of the muscular 

 coat, they here form a close gangliated plexus throughout the whole extent of 

 the intestine (shown in fig. 26.5. A, as exhibited under a low power). This, v.iiich 

 is known as " Auerbach"s jjlexus." or the " plexus myentericus,"' and which is 

 principally composed of non-medullated fibres, gives ofP fine branches to the 

 muscular substance, these first forming a smaller plexus amongst the muscular 

 fibres. Other larger branches pass between the ch-cular bundles of fibres to 

 reach the siibmucous layer, where they form, a second richly gangliated plexus 

 (Meissner"s. fig. 26.5, B, under a high power), the threads of which are much finer 

 than those of the intennuscular network. 



From Meissner's plexus nervous fibres pass to be distributed to the muscular 

 layer of the mucous membrane, breaking up into fine fibrils which take the 

 du-ection of the fibre-cells of this layer, whilst other excessively fine fibrils form 

 a comparatively open plexus in the proper tissue of the mucous coat near the 

 basement membrane, and appear to send branches towards the epithelium, but 

 the further course of these has not been traced. 



Fig. 265. 



Fig. 265 (from Kulliker) ; A. — Nervous Plexus of Auerbach, from the Musculau 

 Coat of a Child's Intestine. 20 Diameters. 



Three perforated ganglionic masses are seen united by several nei-vous cords. 



B.— Small Portion of Meissner's Submucous Nervous Plexus from the Intestine 

 OF A Child. 350 Diameters. 



Two ganglia are represented, of which the cells are seen spreading into the nerve-twigs 

 connected with the ganglia: the fusiform particles on tbe nerve-twigs are nuclei of connec- 

 tive tissue corpuscles. 



