216 
MR. T. SNOW BECK ON THE NERVES OF THE UTERUS. 
The Lesser Splanchnic Nerves. — These nerves having’ suffered some injury in the 
removal of the preparation from the body, I cannot decidedly give their origin ; but 
they appear to be derived from the intercostal nerves in the same manner as the 
greater splanchnic. They are two in number ; the superior divides into two branches, 
one of which joins the ganglion at the root of the renal artery ; the other branch 
divides into three filaments, of which one ends in a ganglion at the side of the 
aorta, whilst the remaining two end in ganglia on the renal plexus. The inferior 
splanchnic nerve (post erior renal of Walter) is chiefly distributed to the renal plexus, 
but sends one branch to the ganglion at the commencement of the aortic plexus. 
The Renal Plexus.— The kidney is supplied by about fifteen branches, twelve of 
which proceed from the outer margin of the semilunar ganglion, and three branches 
from the ganglion in which the lesser splanchnic nerve ends. These nerves in their 
course assume a plexiform arrangement, and form several (eight or nine) smaller 
ganglia varying from the y^th to ^th of an inch in diameter, which appear of the 
same kind as those previously noticed by Remak in various parts of the sympathetic. 
Some of the branches from the lesser splanchnic nerves also end in this plexus. 
The Nerves of the Supra Renal Capsule. — From the centre of the semilunar gan- 
glion, three branches pass upwards and outwards to this body. Three other small 
cords are also supplied by the ganglion in which the principal part of the greater 
splanchnic nerve ends. 
The Superior Aortic Plexus. — This plexus (plexus intermesaraicus vel plexus aor- 
ticus abdominalis) is situated in front of the aorta, between the coeliac axis and the 
inferior mesenteric artery. It is formed by four or five branches which proceed from 
the ganglion before noticed at the root of the renal artery ; by two or three branches 
from the ganglion at the side of the aorta in which part of the lesser splanchnic 
nerve terminates ; and by branches from the superior lumbar ganglia. These branches 
passing downwards and inwards unite with similar branches from the opposite side, 
and form a plexus in front of the aorta. Several smaller ganglia are formed in the 
plexus, some of which are so minute as to measure only ^th of an inch. Minute 
branches are sent from this plexus towards the aorta, and are lost in its cellular coat, 
systems of nerves ; one composed of gelatinous nervous fibres which have their origin at the different ganglia ; 
the other composed of tubular nervous fibres which arise at the brain and spinal cord ; for notwithstanding 
the opposite opinion held by Volkmann and Bidder, founded as it is upon very careful and elaborate inves- 
tigations, I have assured myself, that the tubular fibres, which are mixed with the gelatinous in the gray cords 
of the sympathetic, are really derived from the cerebro-spinal nerves, and do not originate in the ganglia. The 
claim of the gelatinous fibres to be considered true nervous fibres is further shown, by many small nerves being 
entirely composed of them, and by the ultimate distribution of many of them to the arteries. The so-called 
white roots of the sympathetic are then branches of the spinal nerves, and are distributed to the viscera ; and 
the so-called gray roots, branches of the sympathetic, which passed from the thoracic ganglia, and are distri- 
buted to the vessels in the neighbourhood. These facts were demonstrated by preparations at the time this 
paper was presented to the Society, but in consequence of their differing from the received opinions upon the 
subject, I was diffident of having drawings made from the preparations. The drawings, with their accompany- 
ing explanations, will be presented in a supplementary paper. — (May 1846.) 
