THK CCELIAC OR SOLAR PLEXUS 1079 



nerve. The nerves from these sources, fifteen or twenty in number, have numerous 

 ganglia developed upon them. They accompany the branches of the renal 

 artery into the kidney, some filaments on the right side being distributed to the 

 inferior vena cava, and others, on both sides, to the spermatic plexuses. 



The Spermatic Plexus (plexus spermaticus} (Fig. 785) is derived from the renal 

 plexus, receiving branches from the aortic plexus. It accompanies the spermatic 

 vessels to the testis. 



In the female the ovarian plexus (plexus arteriae ovaricae) arises like the sper- 

 matic plexus, and is distributed to the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and fundus of the 

 uterus. 



The Gastric or Coronary Plexus (plexus gastricus superior} (Fig. 785) accompanies 

 the gastric artery along the lesser curvature of the stomach, and joins with branches 

 from the left vagus nerve. 



The Splenic Plexus (plexus lienalis) (Fig. 785) is formed by branches from the 

 co?liac plexus, the left semilunar ganglia, and from the right vagus nerve. It 

 accompanies the splenic artery and its branches to the substance of the spleen, 

 giving off, in its course, filaments to the pancreas, the pancreatic plexus, and the 

 left gastroepiploic plexus, which accompanies the left gastroepiploic artery along 

 the greater curvature of the stomach. 



The Hepatic Plexus (plexus hepaticus) (Fig. 785), the largest offshoot from the 

 creliac plexus, receives filaments from the left vagus and right phrenic nerves. 

 It accompanies the hepatic artery, ramifying in the substance of the liver upon 

 the branches of the portal vein within the substance of the liver. 



Branches from this plexus accompany all the divisions of the hepatic artery. 

 Thus, there is a pyloric plexus accompanying the pyloric branch of the hepatic, 

 which joins with the gastric plexus and vagi nerves. There is also a gastro- 

 duodenal plexus, which subdivides into the pancreaticoduodenal plexus, which 

 accompanies the pancreaticoduodenal artery, to supply the pancreas and duo- 

 denum, joining with branches from the mesenteric plexus. The gastroepiploic 

 plexus, which accompanies the right gastroepiploic artery along the greater 

 curvature of the stomach, and which is said to anastomose with branches from 

 the splenic plexus, is in reality derived from the splenic plexus. A cystic plexus, 

 which supplies the gall-bladder, also arises from the hepatic plexus near the liver. 



The Superior Mesenteric Plexus (plexus mesentericus superior) (Fig. 785) is a 

 continuation of the lower part of the great solar plexus, receiving a branch from the 

 junction of the right vagus nerve with the coeliac plexus. It surrounds the superior 

 mesenteric artery, which it accompanies into the mesentery, and divides into a 

 number of secondary plexuses, which are distributed to all parts supplied by the 

 artery viz., pancreatic branches to the pancreas; intestinal branches, which supply 

 the whole of the small intestine; and ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic branches, 

 which supply the corresponding parts of the large intestine. The nerves composing 

 this plexus are white in color and firm in texture; in the upper part of the plexus 

 close to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery is a ganglion (ganglion mesen- 

 tericnni super! >i). 



The Abdominal Aortic Plexus (plexus aorticus abdominalis) (Figs. 785 and 786) 

 is formed by branches derived, on either side, from the coeliac plexus, receiving 

 filaments from some of the lumbar ganglia. It is situated upon the sides and front 

 of the aorta, between the origins of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. 

 From this plexus arise part of the spermatic, the inferior mesenteric, and the hypo- 

 gastric plexuses; it also distributes filaments to the inferior vena cava. 



The Inferior Mesenteric Plexus (plexus mesentericus inferior} (Fig. 785) is derived 

 chiefly from the left side of the aortic plexus. It surrounds the inferior mesenteric 

 artery, and divides into a number of secondary plexuses, which are distributed to 

 all the parts supplied by the artery viz., the left colic and sigmoid plexuses, which 



