Nerves of the Gravid Uterus. 591 



the right uterine vein, and sending off branches to the posterior sur- 

 face of the uterus ; some of which accompanied the vein, and others 

 appeared to be inserted into the peritonevim. A broad band, re- 

 sembling a plexus of nerves, was seen extending across the posterior 

 surface of the uterus, and covering the nerve about midway from 

 the fundus to the cervix. On the left side, a large plexus of nerves 

 was seen, surrounding the uterine veins at the place where they were 

 about to enter the hypogastric vein. From this plexus three large 

 trunks of nerves were seen accompanying the uterine vein, which 

 increased in size as they ascended to the fundus uteri. From the 

 nerve situated on the posterior surface of the vein, nvimerous fila- 

 ments passed off towards the mesial line, as on the right side ; some 

 following the smaller veins on the posterior surface of the uterus, 

 and others becoming intimately adherent to the peritoneum. The 

 lai'gest of the nerves which accompanied the uterine vein was traced 

 as high as the part where the Fallopian tube enters the uterus ; and 

 there it divided into numerous filaments, Avhich plunged deep into 

 the muscular coat of the uterus along with the vein. A large fasci- 

 culated band, like a plexus of nerves, was also seen on the left side 

 under the peritoneum, crossing the body of the uterus ; and several 

 branches, apparently nervous, proceeding from this band, were 

 distinctly continuous with some of the smaller branches of nerves 

 accompanying tlae uterine veins. The preparation of the parts was 

 placed in the Museum of St. George's Hospital, on the 1st of Octo- 

 ber, 1838 ; and several anatomists who examined it were of opinion 

 that they were absorbents accompanying the uterine veins, and ten- 

 dinous fibres spread across the posterior surface. 



Dr. Lee availed himself of another opportunity which presented 

 itself, on the 18th of December of the same year, of examining a 

 gravid uterus in the sixth month of pregnancy, which had the 

 spermatic, hypogastric and sacral nerves remaining connected with 

 it ; and during the last ten months, he has been diligently occupied 

 in tracing the nerves of this uterus. He believes that he has ascer- 

 tained that the principal trunks of the hypogastric nerves accompany, 

 not the arteries of the uterus, as all anatomists have represented, 

 but the veins ; that these nerves become greatly enlarged during 

 pregnancy ; and that their branches are actually incorporated, or 

 coalesce with the branches of the four great fasciculated bands on 

 the anterior and posterior surface of the uterus, bearing a striking 

 resemblance to ganglionic plexuses of nerves, and sending nume- 

 rous branches to the muscular coat of the uterus. 



The author gives the following description of the nerves of the 

 gravid uterus in the sixth month, and of these fasciculated bands as 

 displayed in the dissection. 



Behind the uterus, the aortic plexus divides into two portions, to 

 form the right and left hypogastric plexuses. These plexuses, after 

 an intimate union with the nerves accompanying the ureters, descend 

 to the neck of the uterus, upper part of the vagina, and contiguous 

 parts of the bladder and rectum, where they are joined by branches 

 from the third and fourth sacral nerves. The left hypogastric plex- 



