SOLAR PLEXUS SEMILUNAR GANGLIA. 599 



of the semilunar ganglion, and the aortic plexus. It is also joined by filaments 

 from the lesser and smallest splanchnic nerves. 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 vena cava, and others to the spermatic 

 plexus, on both sides. 



The spermatic plexus is derived from the renal plexus, receiving branches from 

 the aortic plexus. It accompanies the spermatic vessels to the testes. 



In the iemale, the ovarian plexus is distributed to the ovaries and fund as of the 

 uterus. 



The cceliac plexus, of large size, is a direct continuation from the solar plexus : 

 it surrounds the coeliac axis, and subdivides into the gastric, hepatic, and splenic 

 plexuses. It receives branches from one or more of the splanchnic nerves, and, 

 on the left side a filament from the pneumogastric. 



The gastric plexus accompanies the gastric artery along the lesser curvature of 

 the stomach, and joins with branches from the left pneumogastric nerve. It is 

 distributed to the stomach. 



The hepatic plexus, the largest offset from the cceliac plexus, receives filaments 

 from the left pneumogastric and right phrenic nerves. It accompanies the hepatic 

 artery, ramifying in the substance of the liver upon its branches and upon those 

 of the vena portae. 



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 pneumogastric nerves. There is also a 

 gastro-duodenal plexus, which subdivides into the pancreatico-duodenal plexus, 

 which accompanies the pancreatico-duodenal artery, to supply the pancreas and 

 duodenum, joining with branches from the mesenteric plexus; and a gastro- 

 epiploic plexus, which accompanies the right gastro-epiploic artery along the 

 greater curvature of the stomach, and anastomoses with branches from the splenic 

 plexus. A cystic plexus, which supplies the gall-bladder, also arises from the 

 hepatic plexus, near the liver. 



The splenic plexus is formed by branches from the right and left semilunar 

 ganglia, and from the right pneumogastric nerve. It accompanies the splenic 

 artery and its branches to the substance of the spleen, giving oft) in its course, 

 filaments to the pancreas (pancreatic plexus), and the left gastro-cpiploic plexus, 

 which accompanies the gastro-epiploica sinistra artery along the convex border of 

 the stomach. 



The superior mesenteric plexus is a continuation of the lower part of the great 

 solar plexus, receiving a branch from the junction of the right pneumogastric 

 nerve with the cceliac plexus. It surrounds the superior mesenteric artery, which 

 it accompanies into the mesentery, and divides into a number of secondary plex- 

 uses, which are distributed to all the parts supplied by the artery, viz., pan- 

 creatic branches to the pancreas ; intestinal branches, which supply the whole of 

 the small intestine ; and ileo- colic, right colic, and middle colic branches, which 

 supply the corresponding parts of the great intestine. The nerves composing 

 this plexus are white in color, and firm in texture, and have numerous ganglia 

 developed upon them near their origin. 



The aortic plexus is formed by branches derived, on each side, from the semi- 

 lunar ganglia and renal plexuses, 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 the in- 

 ferior mesenteric, part of the spermatic, and the hypogastric plexuses ; and it dis- 

 tributes filaments to the inferior cava. 



The inferior mesenteric plexus 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 supply the descending and sigmoid 



