348 



HITCHCOCK'S ANATOMY 



or, in other words, respiration and deglutition are controlled 

 and performed by the medulla oblongata. 



624. Function of the Cerebral Ganglia. — The series of 

 Ganglia, Corpora striata, Thalami optici, etc., are regarded by 

 Dr. Carpenter as the true sensorium in man, and this is one 

 of the most important facts established with regard to the 

 nervous system. A prominent reason for the belief, that the 

 brain is simply superadded to them, is seen in many instances 

 of children born without a brain, but with the sensory ganglia 

 present, where the functions of animal life have been carried 

 on for a considerable length of time. 



625. Functions o^ the Spinal Cord. — The functions of 

 the Spinal Cord are considered in a double aspect : First, as 

 the means of communication between the roots of the spinal 

 nerves, and those parts of the nervous system within the 

 cranium, and second, as a center of nervous power to pro- 

 duce reflex movements when an impression is made upon this 

 cord. 



626. Function of Sympathetic Nerve. — The Sym- 

 pathetic Nerve u in its offices is a motor nerve to many of the 

 internal viscera of the body, the heart and the intestinal canal 

 especially ; it is also a sensitive nerve to these parts, and it 

 presides over the action of the blood-vessels of these as well 

 as of the other parts, w T here it is distributed, as of the head 

 and neck, and likewise of all the principal glands of the 

 body." 



627. Organic Functions depend on the Spinal Cord. — 

 Effect of Pressure on this Cord. — Almost all the func- 

 tions of organic life, such as breathing, digestion, and circu- 

 lation, are greatly influenced by the condition of the spinal 

 cord, and especially in its connection with the sympathetic 

 nerve, although the brain has some controlling power. Yet 



624. By what set of bodies are the principal functions of animal life carried on? 625. 

 What are the functions of the spinal cord ? 626. Give the use of the sympathetic nerve. 

 627. Upon what portions of the nervous system do organic function* depend ! 



