HUMAN ANATOMY. 



connected by cords which pass transversely above and below the root of the coeliac 

 axis. The upper end of each is expanded and receives the termination of the great 

 splanchnic nerve, while the lower portion, the aortico-renal ganglion, is partially 

 detached and receives the small splanchnic nerve. A third portion, located below 

 and to the right of the root of the superior mesenteric artery, is called the superior 

 mesenteric ganglion (g. mesentericum superius). From each semilunar ganglion 

 branches emerge in all directions to join those plexuses which are continuous with 

 the solar. 



2. The coeliac plexus (plexus coeliacus) embraces the cceliac axis and consists 

 of a dense felt-work of nerve-fibres, in which are embedded numerous small ganglia, 

 and which is joined by branches from both semilunar ganglia and from the right 



FIG. 1137. 



Knsiform cartilage 



K i. ; ht gastro-epl- 

 plolc artery 

 and plexus 



Liver, Spigelian 



lobe 

 Oesophagus 



Left vagus nerve 

 Kight vagus nerve 

 Aorta 



(iastrii artery and 

 plexus 



Splenic artery and 

 plexus 



Hepatic artery and 

 plexus 



Left gastro-epiplolc 

 artery 



Rranches of left 

 agus 



Dissection showing gastric and hepatic plexuses. 



vagus. Inferiorly it is continued into the superior mesenteric and aortic plexuses 

 and from it arise the coronary, hepatic and splenic plexuses. 



The gastric plexus (plexus gastricus superior) accompanies the gastric artery 

 along the lesser curvature of the stomach, inosculates with both vagus nerves and 

 distributes branches which run for a short distance beneath the peritoneum and then 

 enter and supply the deeper coats of the stomach. 



The hepatic plexus (plexus hepaticus) traverses the lesser omentum in company 

 with the bile duct, the hepatic artery and the portal vein and, after inosculating with 

 fibres of the left vagus, enters the liver, in which it ramifies. In addition to its 

 terminal distribution it contributes filaments to the right suprarenal plexus and 

 furnishes offshoots which follow the collateral branches of the hepatic artery, sup- 

 plying the areas to which these arteries are distributed. 



The splenic plexus (plexus lienalis), which surrounds the splenic artery, 

 receives accessions from the left sc-milunar ganglion and the right vagus and enters 

 the spleen. Branches of the plexus accompany the branches of the splenic artery 

 and are distributed similarly. 



