NERVES. 



behind the stomach, and consists of the coeliac plexus and two 

 semilunar ganglia. Its branches form subordinate plexuses on 

 the aorta and its branches; one of these (the aortic) is contin- 

 uous with the hypogastric plexus through the hypogastric 

 nerves. [712] 



Semilunar Ganglia. One lies on each crus of the Dia- 

 phragm, under the suprarenal capsule and (right side) inferior 

 vena cava. They are irregular, often subdivided, and the 

 lower end (aortico-renal ganglion) is detached; the great 

 splanchnic nerve joins the upper end, and the smaller splanch- 

 nic the lower end. Branches radiate to the subordinate plex- 

 uses. Other small cell masses (ganglia cceliaca) are present in 

 the coeliac plexus. [712] 



Coeliac Plexus. This is a dense mesh work surrounding the 

 origin of the creliac axis, joined by branches of the semilunar 

 ganglia and right vagus, and continuous below with the su- 

 perior mesenteric and aortic plexuses. It forms subsidiary 

 plexuses on the branches of the cceliac axis : coronary, hepatic, 

 and splenic. [713] 



Subordinate Plexuses. These are formed on, and named from 

 their location on, the aorta and its branches viz.: The dia- 

 phragmatic accompanies the inferior phrenic artery, is formed 

 by branches of the semilunar ganglion, and communicates with 

 the phrenic nerve. A ganglion (diaphragmatic) develops at 

 its junction with the right phrenic nerve. The suprarenal is 

 mainly derived from the semilunar ganglion and receives 

 branches from the diaphragmatic and renal plexuses. The 

 renal is derived from the semilunar ganglion and aortic plexus, 

 receives the least splanchnic nerve, and is connected with the 

 suprarenal plexus. The superior mesenteric is continuous with 

 the coeliac and aortic plexuses, receives branches from the 

 semilunar ganglion, and contains a ganglion (superior mesen- 

 teric). Its branches form plexuses on the arterial branches. 

 The aortic lies on the abdominal aorta, continuous with the solar 

 and superior mesenteric plexuses, and receives branches from 



[205] 



