MR. T. SNOW BECK ON THE NERVES OF THE UTERUS. 
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from the cerebro-spinal nerves, through the medium of the splanchnic nerve; and 
that none of the tubular fibres arise from the semilunar ganglion. Notwithstanding 
the contrary opinion held by some most distinguished anatomists, viz. that some 
tubular fibres arise from the sympathetic ganglia, I have, by examination of various 
parts of the sympathetic, assured myself that the tubular fibres can, in every instance, 
be traced to the white connecting cord between the spinal and sympathetic nerves ; 
which white connecting cord is a branch from the spinal nerve with which it is 
connected. 
2.2. The lower portions of the lesser splanchnic nerves. They are composed of 
gelatinous fibres, and tubular fibres, in the same manner as the great splanchnic- 
nerve (1.1). The gelatinous fibres arise from the lower thoracic ganglia of the 
sympathetic, and passing inwards, are given partly to the renal plexus (9.9), and 
partly to the superior aortic plexus (21.21, &c.). The tubular fibres are visceral 
branches of the lower intercostal nerves, and after passing down the trunk of the 
sympathetic to opposite the nerve next below it, pass inwards, in company with the 
gelatinous fibres, towards the semilunar ganglion. Some of the tubular fibres turn 
outwards, and entering the renal plexus (9.9), they are distributed to the kidney; 
the remainder enter the superior aortic plexus (21.21, &c.), and chiefly pass off at the 
root of the inferior mesenteric artery (z) in the branches of the sympathetic sent from 
this point. 
3.3.3. 3. 3. The lobes of the right semilunar ganglion, which, in this instance, are 
much separated from each other. If we restrict the term ganglion to a collection of 
ganglionic corpuscles, giving rise to the gelatinous fibre, which collection is distinct 
from another similar collection of corpuscles lying by the side of it, the two being 
separated by tubular fibres and blood-vessels, then these lobes are an aggregation 
of distinct ganglia. The tubular fibres of the splanchnic nerves pass through this 
ganglion and become associated with the gelatinous fibres which arise from it. The 
association of the gelatinous and tubular fibres constitutes the ordinary branches of 
the sympathetic. 
4. A portion of the left semilunar ganglion. 
5.5. Nervous branches which pass between the two semilunar ganglia. I am in- 
clined to think that a crossing of fibres between the two ganglia takes place in this 
situation. 
6.6.6.6.6. Branches of the sympathetic, which pass out with the coeliac axis ( b ), 
and are distributed to the liver, pancreas, small intestines, stomach, &c. The branches 
of the sympathetic, of sufficient size to be seen by the unassisted eye, are composed 
of many gelatinous fibres associated with some tubular fibres ; but in the fine 
divisions of these nerves, small branches are found entirely composed of gelatinous 
fibres ; and if these small branches be further traced, single gelatinous fibres are 
seen to pass from them, and to enter the cellular coat of small arteries ; and finally, 
to pass along by the side of the artery, taking a slightly winding course round the 
2 a 2 
