670 SYMPATHETIC NERVE. 



renal gland. The branches of this plexus are remarkable for their large size, 

 in comparison with the size of the organ they supply. 



The renal plexus is formed by filaments from the solar plexus, the outer part 

 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 fila- 

 ments 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 female, the ovarian plexus, is distributed to the ovaries and fundus of 

 the uterus. 



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

 it surrounds the cceliac 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 fila- 

 ments 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 porta3. 



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 off, in its course, 

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

 ary plexuses, which are distributed to all the parts supplied by the artery, viz., 

 pancreatic 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 texure, 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 inferior mesenteric, part of the spermatic, and the hypogastric plexuses; 

 and it distributes filaments to the inferior vena cava. 



The inferior mesenteric pkrws is derived chiefly from the left side of the aortic 



