738 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



joined from above by branches from the diaphragmatic plexus, and 

 below by branches from the renal plexus. It is distributed to the 

 suprarenal capsule. 



The renal plexus derives its fibres from the aortico-renal ganglion, 

 the coeliac and aortic plexuses, and the least splanchnic nerve when 

 present. (The least splanchnic nerve arises from the twelfth 

 thoracic ganglion, and enters the abdomen behind the ligamentum 

 arcuatum internum, or through the crus of the diaphragm). The 

 fibres of the renal plexus, which contain ganglia here and there, are 

 distributed with the renal artery to the kidney, branches being also 

 given to the suprarenal plexus, spermatic plexus (ovarian in the 

 female), and to the ureter. 



The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the coeliac 

 plexus, and also receives fibres from the semilunar ganglia. It 

 contains a ganglion, called superior mesenteric, in contact with 

 the origin of the artery of that name, and it accompanies that 

 vessel and its branches to be distributed to the intestinal canal 

 from (and including) the third part of the duodenum to the 

 commencement of the descending colon. Its secondary plexuses 

 are as follows : rami intestini tenuis, ileo-colic, right colic, middle 

 colic, and inferior pan creatico -duodenal. 



The aortic plexus derives its fibres from the semilunar ganglia, 

 and the coeliac and superior mesenteric plexuses. It extends 

 along the aorta, beyond the origin of the superior mesenteric 

 artery, in the form of two lateral strands which communicate freely 

 with one another over the vessel by many interlacing fibres. It 

 is reinforced laterally by branches from the lumbar portion of the 

 gangliated sympathetic cord. The two lateral strands of the 

 plexus ultimately cross the common iliac arteries, and unite in front 

 of the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra to form the hypogastric 

 plexus. The aortic plexus furnishes, on either side, branches to the 

 renal and spermatic (or ovarian) plexuses, and supplies the coats 

 of the aorta. The right strand gives branches to the inferior vena 

 cava, and the left furnishes the chief fibres of the inferior mesenteric 

 plexus. 



The spermatic plexus derives its fibres from the renal and 

 aortic plexuses, and accompanies the spermatic artery to the 

 testis. In the female it is called the ovarian plexus, which goes 

 with the artery of that name to the ovary. 



The inferior mesenteric plexus is derived chiefly from the left 

 strand of the aortic plexus, and contains a ganglion, called 

 inferior mesenteric, which lies below the root of the inferior mesen- 

 teric artery. The plexus accompanies the inferior mesenteric 

 artery, and furnishes left colic, sigmoid, and superior hemorrhoidal 

 plexuses, which supply the descending colon, iliac colon, pelvic 

 colon, and rectum. 



The hypogastric plexus is formed by the fusion of the two halves 

 of the aortic j^lexus after these have crossed the common iliac arteries. 

 It is reinforced by branches from the lumbar ganglia, and is 



