FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH. . 305 



review of the topographical anatomy of the parts is neces- 

 sary. The following description by Professor Foster not only 

 furnishes anatomical data, but seems to strengthen the general 

 physiological process as we interpret it: "The stomach is sup- 

 plied with nerve-fibers from the two vagi nerves and from the 

 solar plexus of the splanchnic system. The two vagi, after 

 forming the cesophageal plexus on the oesophagus, are gath- 

 ered together again as two main trunks which run along the 

 oesophagus the left in front, the right at the back to the 

 stomach. The left, or anterior, nerve is distributed to the 

 smaller curvature and the front surface of the stomach, form- 

 ing a plexus in which nerve-cells are present; and branches 

 pass on to the liver and probably to the duodenum. The 

 right, or posterior, nerve is distributed to the hinder surface 

 of the stomach, but only to the extent of about one-third of 

 its fibers; about two-thirds of the fibers pass on to the solar 

 plexus. . . . From the solar plexus, nerves, arranged largely 

 in plexuses, pass in company with the divisions of the cceliac 

 artery, coronary artery of the stomach, and branches of the 

 hepatic artery, to the stomach. Though the two abdominal 

 splanchnic nerves which join the solar plexus (semilunar 

 ganglia) are chiefly composed of medullated fibers, the nerves 

 which pass from the plexus to the stomach are to a large 

 extent composed of non-medullated fibers. All these nerves, 

 both branches of the vagi and those from the solar plexus, lie 

 at first in company with the arteries on the surface of the 

 stomach beneath the peritoneum. From thence they pass in- 

 ward, still in company with arteries, and form, on the one hand, 

 a plexus containing nerve-cells between the longitudinal and 

 circular muscular coats corresponding to what in the intestine 

 we shall have to speak of as the plexus of Auerbach, whence 

 fibers are distributed to the two muscular coats; and, on the 

 other hand, a plexus in the submucous coat, also containing 

 nerve-cells, corresponding to what is known in the intestine 

 as Meissner's plexus. From this latter plexus fibers pass to 

 the mucous membrane; some of these end in the muscularis 

 mucosaB; whether any are connected with the gastric glands, 

 and, if so, how, is not at present known." 



Immediately before reviewing these anatomical features 



