982 



NEUROLOGY 



and are distributed to a large and important organ in the thoracic cavity. The 

 splanchnic nerves, also three in number, are connected probably with all the thoracic 

 ganglia, and are distributed to important organs in the abdominal cavity. 



Highest intercostal artery 



Highest intercostal vein 



Kami communicantes 

 Lig. arteriosum. 



FIG. 846. Thoracic portion of the sympathetic trunk. 



THE ABDOMINAL PORTION OF THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM (PARS 



ABDOMINALIS S. SYMPATHICI; LUMBAR PORTION OF 



GANGLIATED CORD) (Fig. 847). 



The abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk is situated in front of the ver- 

 tebral column, along the medial margin of the Psoas major. It consists usually of 

 four lumbar ganglia, connected together by interganglionic cords. It is continuous 

 above with the thoracic portion beneath the medial lumbocostal arch, and 

 below with the pelvic portion behind the common iliac artery. The ganglia are 

 of small size, and placed much nearer the median line than are the thoracic ganglia. 



