NERVOUS SYSTEM. 347 



and ramifies superficially over the splenius. 3. Pierces the 

 levator humeri, and expends itself in subcutaneous ramifications. 

 4. Creeps along the under surface of the levator humeri, sending 

 off one or two subcutaneous filaments. 5. Is a filament of 

 communication with the 



Third Cervical Nerve. 



This is likewise a nerve whose branches are numerous and in- 

 tricate. The superior J'ascis is split at its exit into several large 

 and some small branches. 1. Some short twigs to the spi- 

 nalis colli. 2. A large branch to the splenius. 3. and 4. Long 

 winding branches, which ramify upon the ligamentum subflavum 

 and vanish in the substance of the complexus. 5. A single 

 branch to the spinalis colli. — The inferior J'ascis is composed 

 of two principal branches. The inferior branch turns round the 

 articulation formed between the third and fourth vertebrae, and 

 spreads its ramifications upon the longus colli. The superior 

 branch winds upward for a short way, and subdivides into three 

 smaller ones, of which two run to the levator humeri, and the 

 third pierces that muscle, and ends in subcutaneous ramifica- 

 tions: from one of the former branches a filament of communi- 

 cation runs to the 



Fourth Cervical Nerve. 



Its superior J'ascis turns round the vertebrae and separates 

 into three or four large branches, which supply the contiguous 

 parts of the spinalis colli, splenius, and complexus. — The infe- 

 rior J'ascis, the more considerable and important one, gives 

 off at its origin some twigs to the longus colli ; it then runs down 

 a short distance and detaches — 1. A large branch to the splenius. 

 2. A small one to the longus colli. 3. A long filament which 

 passes backward, covered by the levator humeri, to assist in 

 composing the phrenic nerve. 4. Several long terminating 

 branches, which may be traced upon the levator humeri, over 

 the point of the shoulder. This nerve communicates with the 

 fifth cervical by a small circumflex filament, and sends a consi- 

 derable branch backward which also joins it. 



FiJ'th Cervical Nerve 



Makes its appearance between the fifth and sixth vertebra). 

 Its superior fascis forms a set of deep muscular branches, 

 mostly destined to the splenius. The iujerior J'ascis compre- 

 hends three principal branches. 1. Runs to the point of the 

 shoulder, where its ramifications arc principally expended in the 

 levator humeri : at its origin it sends a twiu' to the longus colli. 



