232 
MR. T. SNOW BECK ON THE NERVES OF THE UTERUS. 
join the posterior part of the plexus, and are distributed to the erectile tissue and 
tissues at the posterior part of the vagina, and also to the rectum. 
61.61.61.61.61.61. Small ganglia in the pelvic plexus. They are situated at the 
point of union between the branches from the lateral hypogastric plexus (29.29) and 
the branches from the sacral nerves (60.60.60). The lower part of the lateral hypo- 
gastric plexus forms a continuous plexus with the pelvic plexus, and the only circum- 
stance which marks the division between the two is the existence of these ganglia, and 
the junction of the branches from the sacral nerves. It appears, however, from the 
marked difference which exists in their constitution, necessary to make this distinc- 
tion between the two plexuses. For whilst the lateral hypogastric plexus (29.29) is a 
continuation of branches from the lower part of the superior aortic plexus (21.21, &c.), 
the pelvic plexus (61.61, &c.) is a point where a new arrangement of the gelatinous 
and tubular nervous fibres occurs, previous to the branches being distributed to the 
bladder, vagina and rectum. In this respect the pelvic plexus is analogous to the 
semilunar ganglion (3.3, &c.) and to the lower part of the superior aortic plexus 
(21.21, &c.), from which it differs in the amount of nerves sent from it, and the large 
amount of tubular fibres which these nerves contain. This analogy is further shown 
by the branches from the sacral nerves (60.60, &c.) being analogous to the abdomi- 
nal splanchnic nerves (19.19 and 14.14), and to the thoracic splanchnic nerves 
(1.1. and 2.2), as being the medium by which the tubular fibres are distributed to the 
viscera. The sacral branches however differ from the splanchnic nerves in not being 
associated with any gelatinous fibres. These branches pass over the sacral ganglia of 
the sympathetic without having any connexion with them. In the branches of the 
sympathetic proceeding from the semilunar ganglion (6^6, See.) and from the superior 
aortic plexus (22.22, &c.), and distributed to the abdominal viscera, the amount of 
the gelatinous fibre greatly exceeds that of the tubular ; but in the branches from 
the pelvic plexus (61.61, &c.), distributed to the bladder and vagina, the amount of 
tubular fibre exceeds that of the gelatinous ; and in the branches sent to the lower 
part of the rectum (68.68), the amount of tubular and gelatinous fibre is nearly equal. 
The gelatinous fibres found in the pelvic plexus are derived from the lateral hypo- 
gastric plexus, augmented by the gelatinous fibres which arise from the small gan- 
glia (61.61, &c.). The tubular fibres are derived from the sacral nerves, though some 
tubular fibres from the lumbar nerves enter the plexus with the gelatinous fibres 
from the lateral hypogastric plexus. 
62.62.62.62.62. Small secondary ganglia which are formed in the pelvic plexus, 
and which assume various and curious forms. 
63.63.63.63. Branches from the anterior part of the pelvic plexus, which are dis- 
tributed to the bladder. They contain a large amount of tubular nervous fibre. 
64. Small ganglion on the vesical nerves. 
65.65. Branches which come from the fourth sacral nerve, and joining with branches 
from the lower part of the pelvic plexus, are distributed to the erectile tissue (L). 
