THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM OF NERVES. 



1373 



the fibres approach the distal edge of the mesentery some of them leave the vessels 

 and form minute independent plexuses from which filaments pass to the gut. 



The aortic plexus (plexus aorticus abdominalis) (Fig. 1136) is the direct 

 downward extension of the solar. Embracing the aorta, it extends from the origin 

 of the superior mesenteric artery above to that of the inferior mesenteric below, and 

 is connected with the semilunar ganglia and with the renal and superior mesenteric 

 plexuses superiorly and with the hypogastric inferiorly. It consists of a pair of 



Nerve from aortic plexus 



Ovarian vein 



Ovarian artery 



Ureter - 



Branches 



from renat 



plexus 



Vena cava 

 inferior 



FIG. 1140. 



Aorta Renal ganglion 



^Ovarian artery 

 Ovarian vein 



Ureter 



Part of inferior mesenteric plexus 



Inferior mesenteric 

 " artery 



Hypogastricf 

 plexusj - 



External, 

 iliac artery 

 Internal iliac_ 

 artery 



V. lumbar nerve_ 

 (partly hidden) 



I. sacral nerve 

 II. sacral_. 

 nerve 



Pelvic plexus- 

 Ill. sacral__ 

 nerve" 



Branches ot ri^ht 

 pelvic plexus to- 

 re ctum 



Right Ovary- 

 Fallopian tube- 

 Ligament of_ 

 ovary 



Peritoneum 



covering 



bladder 



Dissection showing hypogastric and pelvic plexuses. 



symmetrically placed nerve trunks situated at the sides of the aorta and connected 

 with each other by several branches which lie anterior to that vessel ; filaments from 

 the lumbar ganglia join the main cords of the plexus. It gives off the inferior mes- 

 enteric plexus, sends contributions to the suprarenal, renal and spermatic or ovarian, 

 supplies filaments to the aorta and inferior vena cava and terminates in the hypo- 

 gastric plexus. 



The inferior mesenteric plexus (plexus mesentericus inferior) is derived 

 from the left portion of the aortic plexus and follows the course and distribution 

 of the artery for which it is named. Situated a short distance beyond its origin 

 is the small inferior mesenteric ganglion. From this plexus branches are 



