ABDOMINAL CAVITY 515 



The upper extremity of each ganglion is joined by the great 

 splanchnic nerve of the same side, whilst the lower part, 

 which is often more or less detached, is connected with the 

 small splanchnic nerve. 



Plexus Gastricus Superior. The left gastric plexus springs from the 

 front of the coeliac plexus. It accompanies the left gastric artery to the 

 small curvature of the stomach and distributes twigs to both aspects of the 

 viscus. 



Plexus Hepaticus. The hepatic plexus also springs from the front of 

 the central part of the coeiiac plexus. It is joined by twigs from the left 

 vagus nerve, and accompanies the hepatic artery, the portal vein, and the 

 bile-duct, to the liver. At the lower margin of the small omentum, it 

 gives off twigs which accompany the gastro-duodenal artery and its right 

 gastro-epiploic branch ; these constitute the inferior gastric plextis. 



Plexus Lienalis. The splenic plexus, like the left gastric and the 

 hepatic plexuses, springs from the median and anterior part of the coeliac 

 plexus. It accompanies the splenic artery to the spleen, and is joined by 

 twigs from the right vagus nerve. It gives offshoots along the various 

 branches of the artery. 



Plexus Renalis. Each renal plexus consists of numerous nerves which 

 spring chiefly from the medial and lateral part of the corresponding coeliac 

 ganglion. Some will be found, however, coming from the strands of the 

 coeliac plexus and others from the aortic plexus. The smallest or third 

 splanchnic nerve, when it is present, joins this plexus. Thus constituted, 

 the filaments of the renal plexus run with the renal artery to the hilus of 

 the kidney, and are distributed within the gland substance. Several twigs 

 are likewise given to the spermatic plexus. A few scattered ganglia are 

 usually found in connection with the renal plexus. 



Plexus Suprarenalis. The dissector will be struck with the large 

 number of nerves which supply the suprarenal glands. They are chiefly 

 derived from the coeliac ganglion of the same side, but many come from the 

 strands of the coeliac plexus. Below, each suprarenal plexus is directly 

 continuous with the renal plexus, and above, it is connected with the dia- 

 phragmatic plexus. The smallest splanchnic nerve usually contributes a 

 branch to this plexus, and the point at which it joins is marked by a small 

 ganglion. 



Plexus Phrenicus. The filaments composing each phrenic plexus take 

 origin from the upper part of the coeliac ganglion of the same side, and are 

 distributed with the inferior phrenic artery to the under surface of the 

 diaphragm, but they do not follow rigorously the branches of this vessel. 

 At first they lie subjacent to the peritoneum, but soon they penetrate be- 

 tween the fleshy fasciculi and establish communications with the phrenic 

 nerve. On the right side a small ganglion is formed on the under surface 

 of the diaphragm at the point of junction between this plexus and the phrenic. 

 In addition to its diaphragmatic branches the phrenic plexus contributes 

 filaments to the suprarenal plexus, and, on the right side, to the hepatic 

 plexus. 



Plexus Mesentericus Superior. The superior mesenteric plexus 

 springs from the lower part of the central portion of the coeliac plexus and 

 descends, with the superior mesenteric artery, in the root of the mesentery 

 of the small intestine. It gives offsets along the branches of the artery. 



Plexus Aorticus Abdominalis. The abdominal aortic plexus is formed 

 mainly by branches derived from the ganglia of the abdominal parts of the 

 sympathetic cords, but it is connected above with the coeliac and superior 



