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branches, which are distributed to tli<- muscles an<l integuments of the 

 superior cervical region. Anion^r these, tin- superficial, which arc almost 

 nitliiiiriihiry in the two last pairs, reach the inner face of the splenius. The 

 others, deep and more voluminous, cross tho semispinalis colli, ami, dividing, 

 ascend between the great com plexus and cervical ligament, to near tho 

 superior border of that largo elastic lamina. They generally intercommuni- 

 ty several filaments, and in this way form a network on the inner face 

 of the great complexus, which Girard named the deep cervical plexug. 



INKKHIOR BRANCHES. These branches augment in size from the first to 

 the List, and separate into two perfectly distinct groups. Tho divisions of 

 the first six cover the lateral and anterior parts of the neck, as well as tho 

 muscles of the breast. Usually anastomosing with each other by long 

 communicating branches, they in this way form a vast nervous network 

 traversed by two important nerves the spinal accessory and cervical 

 filament of the facial : this is tho superficial ciri-iml plexun. The other two 

 are united with the preceding by a filament passing between the sixth and 

 seventh, soon becoming confounded with each other, as well as with the 

 irst branches of the dorsal region ; they constitute, in common with the 

 latter, the br<icli!.l plexus. 



Without saying any more as to the disposition of this double plexus, we 

 will pass to the particular description of each cervical pair of nerves. 



Firtt. Deeply situated beneath the transverse process of the atlas, this 

 nerve leaves the anterior foramen of that vertebra, and accompanies the 

 occipital artery and vein to place itself immediately between the anterior 

 small rectus capitisand rectus lateralis muscles. It then crosses the anterior 

 great rectus capitis and the spinal accessory nerve, which it separates ; and 

 arrives, after describing a slight curve forward, near the thyroid gland, 

 finally entering the subscapulo-hyoideus by several terminal divisions. 



its origin, this inferior branch of the first cervical nerve furnishes 

 collateral ramuscules to the three recti muscles. Lower, it is in communica- 

 tion with the superior cervical ganglion and the spinal accessory nerve by 

 al filaments. At tho carotid artery, it sends forwards, to the side of 

 the larynx, a very fine branch that quickly divides into two ramuseules, one 

 of which joins the great hypoglossal nerve, and the other goes to the thyro- 

 li void muscle. It then throws off, from its convex side, several small descend- 

 iii^r nerves, all of which are destined to the subscapulo-hyoid, stcruo-hyoid, 

 and thyroid muscles. 



One of these filaments, joined by a ramusculo from the second pair, is 

 distinguished for its great length; it may be followed to mar the sternum, 

 where it is expended in the fleshy mass common to the four muscles that 

 extend from that bone to the larynx and os hyoidcs. Its constant disposition 

 should obtain for it the name of prectrvical nc> 



Second. This descends beneath the great oblique muscle (obliquus 

 jM)Sticus), crossing the direction of the rectus anticus major, and ramifying 

 tin-rein by numerous branches. Wo specially indicate : 1, Those furnished 

 to the latter muscle, and which ore tho shortest and deepest ; 2, Tho nili<l 



. a long, thick superficial branch, uhieh cnh rs the anterior portion of 



the levator humeri. and is directed forward and upward on the parotid 



gland, bending round tho transverse process of tho atlas: this ramusculo 



- on" filaments to the parotido-auricularis, as well as to the subcutaneous 



i.niM-le ..ftlir f;i(-'-. and terminates in two branches of unequal volume, the 



t winch ascends on tho outer side of tho concha, and tho other, 



<i;nated behind, roaches the cervico auricular muscles ; 8, Another superficial 



