2&6 Nerves of the Ueart, Stmach, &c. [Book IX. 



the cranium the nervus acceflbrius leaves the eighth 

 pair, and patting through the fterno maftoideus mufcle, 

 is diftributed on that and the trapezius. The eighth 

 pair now difperfes various branches to the tongue, 

 larynx, and pharynx, which are united with branches 

 of the fifth pair, with the portio dura of the feventh 

 pair, with the recurrent nerve, with the great intercof- 

 tal, and with the ninth pair and all the cervical nerves. 

 Being feparated from thefe nerves it runs down on 

 the external fide of the carotid artery, and as it is 

 about to enter the thorax, a confiderable nerve called 

 the recurrent is fent off on each fide. The right 

 recurrent nerve takes a turn round the right fubcla- 

 vian artery, and the left round the aorta; and both of 

 them running up again at the fide of the cefophagus, 

 to which they give branches, are fpent on the parts of 

 the larynx. We find from many inftances that nerves 

 court the neighbourhood of arteries, but what are the 

 purpofes of fuch a diftribution it is not eafy to de- 

 termine. 



At the part from which the recurrent nerves arife, 

 are alfo fent off twigs which join with the branches 

 of the interccftal, and which are diftributed on the 

 heart, where they form a plexus on the pericardium. 

 The two trunks of the eighth pair now defcend by the 

 cefophagus to the ftomach, where plexufes are pro- 

 duced, whence the ftomach is plentifully fupplied with 

 nerves, and fome are fent to the diaphragm, the 

 liver, and the pancreas. From thefe are fent branches, 

 which contribute to form plexufes on the fpleen and 

 kidneys. Near the cseliac artery the eighth pair alfo 

 unites with the great femi-lunar ganglion, formed by 

 the two intercoftal nerves. I have been the more 

 particular with regard ro the eighth pair of nerves, 

 merely to give the reader an idea of the very com- 

 plex 



