PELVIC PLEXUS. 613 



few filaments from the sacral ganglia. At the point of junction of these nerves, 

 small ganglia are found. From this plexus numerous branches are distributed 

 to all the viscera of the pelvis. They accompany the branches of the internal 

 iliac artery. 



The inferior hsemorrlioidal plexus arises from the back part of the pelvic 

 plexus. It supplies the rectum, joining with branches of the superior hsemor- 

 rhoidal plexus. 



The vesical plexus arises from the fore part of the pelvic plexus. The nerves 

 composing it are numerous, and contain a large proportion of spinal nerve- 

 ilbres. They accompany the vesical arteries, and are distributed to the side 

 and base of the bladder. Numerous filaments also pass to the vesiculae semi- 

 nales, and vas deferens: those accompanying the vas deferens join, on the 

 spermatic cord, with branches from the spermatic plexus. 



The prostatic plexus is continued from the lower part of the pelvic plexus. 

 The nerves composing it are of large size. They are distributed to the prostate 

 gland, vesiculae seminales, and erectile structure of the penis. The nerves 

 supplying the erectile structure of the penis consist of two sets, the small and 

 large cavernous nerves. They are slender filaments, which arise from the fore 

 part of the prostatic plexus; and after joining with branches from the internal 

 puclic nerve, pass forwards beneath the pubic arch. 



The small cavernous nerves perforate the fibrous covering of the penis, near its 

 roots. 



Tne large cavernous nerve passes forwards along the dorsum of the penis, joins 

 with the dorsal branch of the pudic nerve, and is distributed to the corpus 

 caveruosum and spongiosum. 



The vaginal plexus arises from the lower part of the pelvic plexus. It is lost 

 on the walls of the vagina, being distributed to the erectile tissue at its anterior 

 part, and to the mucous membrane. The nerves composing this plexus contain, 

 like the vesical, a large proportion of spinal nerve-fibres. 



The uterine nerves arise from the lower part of the hypogastric plexus, above 

 the point where the branches from the sacral nerves join the pelvic plexus. 

 They accompany the uterine arteries to the side of the organ between the layers 

 of the broad ligament, and are distributed to the cervix and lower part of the 

 body of the uterus, penetrating its substance. 



Other filaments pass separately to the body of the uterus and Fallopian tube. 



Branches from the hypogastric plexus accompany the uterine arteries into the 

 substance of the uterus. Upon these filaments ganglionic enlargements are 

 found. 1 



For a detailed account of the supply of nerves to the uterus, and for a description of the 

 t-hanges which these nerves and their ganglia undergo during pregnancy, the reader is referred 

 to the papers on " The Anatomy of the Nerves of the Uterus," published by Dr. Robert Lee. 



1 This description of the sympathetic nerve accords with the works which are received as 

 standard authorities in anatomy ; but when the result of Dr. Robert Lee's dissections shall have 

 been published, our knowledge of the distribution of the sympathetic system of nerves will be 

 placed upon a different footing. Dr. Lee's beautiful dissections of the nerves of the heart, and 

 those of the uterus, have been long known to anatomists. Other preparations, as accurate and 

 beautiful as these, showing the communication between the pneumogastric and sympathetic, and 

 the supply of nerves to the oesophagus, stomach, and some other viscera, were recently exhibited 

 by Dr. Lee to the College of Physicians ; and it may be anticipated that Dr. Lee will soon be 

 able to complete and publish the account of the whole sympathetic system. 



