C4-i THE SYMPATHETIC NERVES AND GANGLIA. 



Inferior Ilseniorrhoidal Nerves. — These slentler Ecrves proceed 

 from the back part of the pelvic plexus. They join with the nerves 

 (superior hfemorrhoiclal) which descend ^Yitll the inferior mesenteric 

 artery, and ]ienctrate tlie coats of the rectum. 



Vesical Plexus. — The nerves of the urinary bladder are very nu- 

 merous. They are directed from the anterior part of the pelvic plexus 

 to the side and lower part of the bladder. At first these nerves 

 accompany the vesical blood vessels, but afterwards they leave the 

 vessels, and subdivide into minute branches before perforating the 

 muscular coat of the organ. vSecondary plexuses are given in the male 

 to the vas deferens and the vesicula seminalis. 



The nerves of fJ/e vas deferens ramify round that tube, and communi- 

 cate in the spermatic cord with the nerves of the spermatic plexus. 

 Those furnished to the vesicula seminalis form an interlacement on the 

 vesicula, and some branches penetrate its substance. Other filaments 

 from the prostatic nerves reach the same structure. 



Prostatic Plexus. — The nerves of this plexus are of considerable 

 size, and jiass onwards lietween the prostate gland and the levator ani. 

 Some are furnislied to the prostate and to the vesicula seminalis ; and 

 the plexus is then continued forwards to supply the erectile substance of 

 the penis, Avhere its nerves are named " cavernous." 



Cavernous nerves of the penis. — These are very slender, and difficult 

 to dissect. Continuing from the prostatic plexus they pass onwards, 

 beneath the arch of the pubes, and through the muscular structure 

 connected with the membranous part of the urethra, to the dorsum of 

 the penis. At the anterior margin of the levator ani muscle the 

 cavernous nerves are joined by some short filaments from the pudic 

 nerve. After distributing twigs to the fore part of the prostate, these 

 nerves divide into branches for the erectile substance of the penis, as 

 follows : — 



Small cavernous nerves (MnWer), which perforate the fibrous covering 

 of the corpus cavernosum near the root of the penis, and end in the 

 erectile substance. 



The large cavernous verve, which extends forward on the dorsum of 

 the penis, and dividing, gives filaments that penetrate the corpus 

 cavernosum, and pass with or near the cavernous artery (art. profunda 

 penis). As it continues onwards, this nerve joins with the dorsal branch 

 of the pudic nerve about the middle of the penis, and is distributed to 

 the corpus cavernosum. Branches from the foregoing nerves reach the 

 corpus spongiosum urethrje. (Miiller, " Ueber die organischen Nerven 

 der erectilen miinnlichen Geschlechtsorgane," &c. Berlin, 1836.) 



Nerves of the Ovary. — The ovary is supplied chiefly from the 

 plexus prolonged on the ovarian artery from the abdomen ; but it 

 receives another offset from the uterine nerves. 



Vaginal Plexns. — The nerves furnished to the vagina leave the 

 lower part of iho pelvic plexus — that part with which the spinal nerves 

 are more jiarticularly combined. They are distributed to the vagina 

 without previously entering into a plesiform aiTangement ; and they 

 end in the ei-ectile tissue on the lower and anterior part, and in the 

 mucous membrane. 



Nerves of the Uterus. — These nerves are given more immediately 

 from the lateral fasciculus prolonged to the pelvic plexus from the 

 hypogastric plexus, above the point of connection with the sacral nerves. 



