376 NEUROLOGY, OR ANATOMY OF NERVOUS SYSTEM 



The anterior branches of the superior ganglion pass to the 

 bloodvessels, viz., to the external carotid and its branches- 

 forming gangliated plexuses named lingual, facial, temporal, 

 rneningeal, etc. They communicate with the submaxillary 

 and otic ganglia and with the geniculate ganglion of the facial 

 nerve (external petrosal nerve). 



The middle (thyroid ganglion) lies in front of the sixth cervical 

 vertebra, on the inferior thyroid artery. It is connected with 

 the superior and inferior ganglia and with the fifth and sixth 

 cervical nerves. It also gives off the thyroid branches and 

 middle cardiac nerves. 



The thyroid branches run along the inferior thyroid artery 

 to the gland, and join the recurrent and external laryngeal 

 nerves. On the artery they connect with the upper cardiac 

 nerve. 



The middle cardiac nerve (deep or great), on the left side, 

 descends between the carotid and subclavian arteries to join 

 the deep cardiac plexus; on the right it runs in front of or behind 

 the subclavian artery, then along the trachea, to join the 

 deep cardiac plexus. In its course it joins the recurrent branch 

 of the vagus and the upper cardiac nerve. 



The inferior cervical ganglion lies between the transverse 

 process of the seventh cervical vertebra and the neck of the 

 first rib, behind the vertebral artery, and communicates with 

 the seventh and eighth cervical nerves by gray rami communi- 

 cantes. It sends branches to the middle cervical; one of these 

 forms a loop around the subclavian artery, called the ansa 

 subclavii (Vieussenii), also the first thoracic ganglion (these 

 branches may be derived from the middle cervical ganglion), 

 and some along the vertebral artery, forming a plexus. It also 

 sends off the inferior cardiac nerve. This descends behind the 

 subclavian artery and along the trachea, and, after communi- 

 cating with the middle cardiac and recurrent nerve, ends in the 

 deep cardiac plexus. 



THE SYMPATHETIC NERVES OF THE THORAX 



In the thoracic portion ganglia lie in a line along the heads 

 of the ribs, beneath the pleura and in front of the intercostal 

 vessels. They communicate with the spinal nerves. The 



