plexus 
of minute anastomosing blood-vessels, as the 
ohoroid plexus, and of similar arrangements of 
ni-rvrs of tin- spinal and sympathetic systems. 
3. In math., a system of one-fold relations. 
Aortic plexus, th. 'network of sympathetic nenret on 
the tide and front of ihr abdominal aorta, between the 
origin) of the superior and Inferior mcsenterlc arteries. 
Alto called intermesrntrric fUxvt. Auerbach'S plexus, 
an extensive gangllatrd plexus of nerves lying between 
Hi. longitudinal and the circular layer of Die small Into- 
tin. . Also called miieiiteric plena - Axillary plexus. 
8*me at ftnuMa(nfenu. BftlUar plexus, sameasrraiw- 
wn jiniif (which tee, under n'ntu). Brachial plexus. 
See braekial. Cardiac plexus, one of the three great 
prevertebral plexuses of the sympathetic, situated in the 
upper thoracic region in front, and between the aorta 
and the pulmonary artery, where these vessels are in 
contact. It receives the cardiac brandies from the cer- 
vical ganglia and those of the vagus nerves, and gives off 
the nerves which supply the heart, together with some 
smaller branches which contribute to the nervous sup- 
ply of the lungs. That division (the smaller) which lies 
in the concavity of the arch of the aorta is called the 
superficial carttiae plexu*. while the <!</' cardiac plexus 
Is placed behind the arch of the aorta, between it and 
the end of the trachea. Carotid plexus. See carotid. 
Caudal plexus. Same as coccyycal ;Vcn. Caver- 
nous plexus, (a) The continuation of the carotid plex- 
us in tile cavernous sinus. (6) The continuation of the 
prosUtlc plexus supplying the erectile tissue of the pe- 
nis. Also called common* nenct. Cervical plexus, the 
network of nerves formed by the anterior divisions of the 
four upper cervical nerves, giving off numerous nerves to 
the head, neck, and chest, and the phrenic nerve to the 
diaphragm. A similar plexfng of posterior divisions of 
the three upper cervical nerves Is known as the posterior 
cervical piano. Chorold plexuses. See choroid. Cil- 
iary plexus, a flue gangliated network formed from the 
ciliary nerves, spread over the choroid, and within thecili- 
ary muscle, from which the nerves of the cornea, of the 
ciliary muscle, and of the iris are derived. Coccygeal 
plexus, the connection formed between the anterior di- 
visions of the fourth and fifth sacral and first coccygeal 
nerves. Coeliac plexus, the sympathetic plexus of the 
callac artery, continued from the solar plexus, and divid- 
ing Into the gastric, hepatic, and splenic plexuses. Colic 
plexuses, divisions of the superior and inferior mesenter- 
Ic plexuses accompanying the colic arteries Coronary 
plexus, (fl) One of two plexuses, right and left, de- 
rived from the cardiac plexus, and accompanying the re- 
spective coronary arteries. (6) Same as gastric plexus (n). 
Cystic plexus, a secondary plexus of the hepatic, to 
the gall-bladder. Deep Jugular plexus, a plexus of lym- 
phatic vessels extending along the Internal jugular vein 
to the bate of the cranium. Deferential plexus, the 
continuation of the veslcal plexus upon the vasa deferentia 
and the seminal vesicles.- Diaphragmatic plexus, the 
phrenic plexus. Dorslapinal plexus, a network of veins 
investing the arches of the vertebra, and receiving branches 
from the contiguous muscles and skin of the back. Epi- 
gastric plexus, the solar plexus, or solariplex. Esopha- 
geal plexus, plexiform branches of the pneumogastric 
nerve on the esophagus. Also called plexus i/ulx. Gas- 
tric plexus, (a) One of two plexuses, anterior and poste- 
rior, formed by the left and right vagus nerves respective- 
ly, (b) A secondary plexus of the cwliac, accompanying the 
gastric artery. Also called coronary plexus. Oastro- 
epiplolc plexuses, secondary plexuses of the hepatic 
and splenic, accompanying the gastro-epiplolc arteries. 
Hemorrhoids! plexus, (a) A plexus of flue nerves 
derived from the pelvic, vesical, and inferior hcmor- 
rholdal plexuses, penetrating the coats of the rectum, (b) 
A large and copiously anastomosing network of veins in 
the lower wall of the rectum, beneath the mucous coat, 
from which the hemorrholdal veins proceed. Hepatic 
plexus, the largest division of the cicllac plexus, accom- 
panying the hepatic artery In the substance of the liver. 
- Hypogastrlc plexus, an Intricate sympathetic plexus, 
formed by the prolongation of the aortic plexus on each side, 
lying in the interval of the common iliac arteries, Invested 
by a sheath of areolar tissue. It divides into two parts 
below, one on each side of the pelvic viscera, forming the 
pelvic plexuses. Also called mperior hypoyastric plena. 
Ileocolic plexus, the division of the superior mescn- 
tertc plexus accompanying the ileocol ic artery. Inferior 
dental plexus, a plexus formed by the communications 
of the branches of the Inferior dental nerve within the 
lower jaw. Inferior hypogastric plexus. Same as 
pelnc pleruf. Inferior mesenteric plexus, a sympa- 
thetic plexus derived from the left lateral part of the 
aortic plexus, and surrounding the artery of the tame 
name. Infra-orbital plexus, a plexus formed by the 
union of the labial branches of the superior maxillary nerve 
with branchetof the facial nerve. Intereplthelial plex- 
us, the fine network of nerves among the cells of the epi- 
thelium of the cornea. Intermesenteric plexus. Same 
as aortic plexus. Intermuscular plexuses, gangliated 
nerve-plexuses in the substance of organs having unstri- 
aled muscle-fibers. Intrasplnal plexus, an irregular 
network of veins investing the spinal canal, emptying into 
the intercostal , lumbar, vertebral, and lateral sacral veins. 
Ischiatlc plexus, the upper part of the sacral plexus. 
Lumbar plexus, see lumtari. ifeluner's plexus. 
tie fMffll it" ! i'! suso! til- Btibmucous layer "f the small 
intestine, formed by branches derived from Auerbach's 
plexus. Menlngeal plexus, the continuation of the ca- 
rotid plexus upon the middle menlngeal artery. Mes- 
enteric plexus, the sympathetic plexus accompanying 
a mesenteric artery. The superior Is derived from the 
great solar plexus ; the Inferior chiefly from the aortic 
plexus. Myenteric plexus. Same as Auerbach'i plexus, 
Obturator plexus, the plexus of veins surrounding 
the obturator foramen. Ophthalmic plexus, the con- 
tinuation of the cavernous plexus on the ophthalmic ar- 
tery. Ovarian plexus. s>, ;xi>ii;ii(/,,rm ;<&. Pam- 
plnlform, pancreatic, pa tellar, pelvic plexus. See 
the adjectives. Pancreatlcoduodenal plexus, a sec- 
ondary plexus of the hepatic, accompanying the superior 
panrreatlcodiiodenal artery. Parotid plexus, the anas- 
torooaea formed by loops of the nevent h nerve on the tide 
of the LI. ' . Also called fleam* or pe* nrurn'nu*. Pha- 
ryngeal plexus. Sctp*orrgtal.- Phrenic plexus, the 
4558 
sympathetic plexus which accompanies the phrenic artery 
to the diaphragm, arising from the temllunar ganglion. 
Plexus anserinus. Same as parotid plexus.- Plexus 
anserinus nervi median!, the bundles from the eighth 
cervical nerve that go to form the median nerve. Plexus 
brachialis, the brachial plexus. Plexus cervicalls, the 
cervical plexus. Plexus choroideus, the choroid plex- 
us of a lateral ventricle. Plexus choroldeus inferior, 
the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle. Plexus cho- 
roideus medius. the choroid plexus of the third ventricle. 
Plexus choroideus ventricull lateralis, the choroid 
plexus of a lateral ventricle. -Plexus choroideus ven- 
triculi quart!, the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle. 
Plexus choroideus ventricull tertil, the choroid plex- 
us of the thinl ventricle. -Plexus gangliofonnis.thelow- 
ei ganglion, or ganglion of the trunk, of the vagus nerve. 
PlexusgulSB. Same taesophageal plexus. Plexus lum- 
balls, the lumbar plexus. Plexus nodosus, the ganglion 
of the trunk of the vagus. Plexus patellae, the plexi- 
form network of the kneepan, formed by cutaneous nerves, 
especially the long saphenous, Plexus sacralis, the sa- 
cral plexus. Plexus submucosns. Same as Xeissner's 
plexu*. Posterior cervical plexus, a plexus often 
formed by the Internal branches of the posterior divisions 
of the first three cervical nerves. Prevertebral plex- 
uses, the three large median plexuses formed by the two 
sympathetic nerves, situated in front of the spine, In the 
cavity of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, and respectively 
known as the cardiac, solar, and nypooastric plexuses. 
Pro-static plexus, (a) The continuation of the veslcal 
plexus supplying the prostate body, (b) A plexus of veins 
surrounding the base of the prostate, formed mainly from 
the dorsal veins of the penis. Pterygold plexus, a close 
network of veins covering both surfaces of the external 
pterygold muscle, receiving tributaries mostly correspond- 
ing to the branches of the internal maxillary artery, and 
emptying Into the internal maxillary vein. Pudendal 
Plexus, (a) Aclosenetof largeveinsoccupylngthe upper 
part of the pubic arch, between the layers of the triangular 
ligament, and mainly derived from the dorsal veinsof the 
penis or clitoris, (b) The lower section of the sacral plexus 
(a). Pulmonary plexuses,thetwo pi exuses,the anterior 
and posterior, formed by branches of the vagus and sym pa- 
thetic on the front and back side respectively of each lung 
at Its rout. PyloriC plexus, a secondary plexus of the he- 
patic, accompanying the pyloric artery. Renal plexus, a 
plexus formed of nerves from the semllunar ganglion, the 
solar and aortic plexuses, and the smallest splanchnic nerve, 
accompanying the renal artery and terminating in the 
substance of the kidney. Sacral plexus, (o) A plexus 
formed by the union of the lumbosacral cord and anterior 
divisions of the three upper sacral nerves, together with 
a portion of that of the fourth. Its branches of distribu- 
tion are the superior and Inferior gluteal, great and small 
sciatic, pudic, and muscular. (6) A plexus of veins In the 
back of the pelvis, tributary to the middle sacral vein. 
Sacrococcygeal plexus, the seriesof loops formed by the 
anastomoses of the external branches of the posterior di- 
visions of the first three sacral nerves, the fourth and fifth 
posterior sacrals, and the posterior coccygeal. Santorl- 
nian plexus, the pudenda! plexus of veins. Solar plex- 
us, the largest of the three great sympathetic plexuses, sit- 
uated at the upper part of the abdomen, behind the sto- 
mach, and In front of the aorta. It consists of an intricate 
network of nerves, associated with ganglia, receiving the 
upper splanchnic nerves and some branches of the vagus, 
and giving off numerous branches which accompany the 
arteries to the principal viscera of the abdomen, consti- 
tuting secondary plexuses. Its two principal masses, riuht 
and left, are known, from their form, as the semilunar 
ganglia. Also called epiyastric plexus, solar ganglion. 
Spermatic plexus, (a) A small plexus, derived from the 
renal and aortic plexuses, accompanying the artery to the 
testia in the male, to the ovary and uterus in the female. 
(&) Same as pampin(forin plexus. Spiral plexus, the 
plexifurm arrangement assumed in the spiral lamina by the 
nerve-fllamcnta given off from the spiral ganglion of the 
cochlea. Splenic plexus.one of thedlvUionsof theccellac 
plexus, accompanying the splenic artery Into the substance 
of the spleen. Subeplthellal plexus, the delicate net- 
work, formed by the terminal filaments of the ciliary nerves, 
ramifying on the basement membrane of the ectocornea, or 
surface of the cornea proper,beneath the epithelium. Su- 
perficial jugular plexus, lymphatic tributaries to the 
jugular trunk from the occipital, ear, and temporal regions. 
Superior dental plexus, the series of loops formed 
by branches of the dental nerves of the upper jaw, from 
which the filament* given to the teeth are derived. Su- 
prarenal plexus, a secondary plexus derived from the 
solar plexus, terminating in the suprarenal body, and re- 
ceiving branche* from one of the splanchnic nerves. 
Tonsllar plexus, a plexus formed around the tonsil by 
the tonsilar branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve. 
Triangular plexus, the plexiform arrangement assumed 
by the bundles of fibers of the sensory root of the fifth 
nerve Iwfore ending In the Oasserian ganglion. Tym- 
panic plexus, a plexus formed by the branches of the 
tympanic nerve, in union with others from the facial and 
sympathetic, in the mucous lining of the middle ear. 
Uterine plexus, (a) A plexns derived from the pelvic 
plexus, passing through the broad ligament with the uter- 
ine artery to be distributed to the uterus, (b) Venous 
channels at the sides of the uterus, and In the broad llga- 
ments. emptying Into the ovarian veins Vaginal plex- 
US. a network of veins surrounding the vagina, especial!) 
In Ita lower part. Venous plexus, an anastomosing set 
of veins, forming a network. There are several such, as 
the ovarian, pamplnlform, pharyngeal, prostatic, ptery- 
gold, spermatic, uterine, and vaginal. Vertebral plex- 
us, the sympathetic plexus on the vertebral artery, joined 
by filaments from tile lower cer\ie:il neiveh - Vesical 
plexus, (a) A plexus of veins surrounding the muscu- 
lar coat of the bladder. (6) A plexns derived from the 
nelv Ic plexus, distributed to the lower part and side of the 
madder, the prostate, and the seminal vesicle. Vesico- 
vaginal plexus, a plexus derl> e.l from the pelvic plexus, 
dlKtributed to the vagina ami bladder.- Vidlan plexus, 
tin plexus formed by the Vidlan nerve about the Vidlan 
artery. 
pleyt, i'. and a. A Middle English form otplayl, 
pleynt. pleynet. Obsolete forms of plainl, 
]>l<til('-. jlllltll'*. 
pliant 
pliability (pli-a-bil'i-ti), n. [< pliable + -ily 
(see -bility).'] 'The quality of being pliable; 
flexibility ; pliableness. 
Sweet pliability of man's spirit, that can at once surren- 
der itseU to Illusions which cheat expectation and sorrow 
of their weary moment* ! 
Sterne, Sentimental Journey, p. 84. 
Pliability In politics, If accompanied by honesty, is a 
virtue. //. Adams, (Jallatln, p. 577. 
pliable (pli'a-bl), a. [< F. pliable = Pr.pliraMf, 
flexible, pliant, pliable, < L. as if 'plicabilin, 
that can be bent,< plicare, fold, bend: Bee ply.] 
1. Easy to be bent ; readily yielding to force or 
pressure without rupture; flexible: as, willow 
is a pliable plant. 
The younger they are when they begin with that art 
[music], the more pliable and nimble their fingers are 
touching the Instrument. Sharp, Works, VI. vill. 
2. Flexible in disposition ; easy to be bent, in- 
clined, or persuaded ; readily yielding to influ- 
ence, arguments, persuasion, or discipline. 
At the last, having found the cltyaplyable to theyrdesyer, 
theybounde the one to another by othe, and wrought sure 
wy th hostages and money. Gliding, tr. of Ctesar, fol. 146. 
So Is the heart of some men : when smitten by God It 
seems soft and pliable. Jer. Taylor, Works, II. xii. 
Since I was of understanding to know we knew nothing, 
my reason hath been more pliable to the will of faith. 
Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici, 1. 10. 
Syn. 1. Pliant, supple. 2. Compliant, yielding, trac- 
table. 
pliableness (pll'a-bl-nes), n. The quality of 
being pliable ; flexibility; the quality of yield- 
ing readily to force or to moral influence ; pli- 
ability : as, the pliableness of a plant ; pliable- 
ness of disposition. 
The chosen vessel hath by his example taught me this 
charitable and holy pliablenem. 
Up. Hall, Satan's Fiery Darts, ill. 5. 
Compare . . . the ingenuous pliableness to virtuous 
counsels in youth, as it comes fresh and untainted out of 
the hands of nature, with the confirmed obstinacy in most 
sorts of sin that is to be found in an aged sinner. 
South, Sermons. 
pliably (pH'a-bli), adv. In a pliable manner; 
yieldingly; compliantly. 
This worthy Doctor [George Morley] . . . was . . . not 
of the number of those lukewarm irreligious Temporizers 
who had learn 'd pliably to tack about, as still to lie ready 
to receive whatever revolution and turn of affairs should 
happen. Wood, Athena; Oxon., II. 771. 
pliancy (pli'an-si),i. [</>fia(0 + -oy.] The 
quality of bieing pliant, or easily bent or in- 
clined in any desired direction ; readiness to be 
persuaded or influenced: as, the pliancy of a 
rod; pliancy of disposition. 
To be overlooked for want of political pliancy is a cir- 
cumstance I need not blush to own. 
Anecdotes of Bp. Walton, I. 805. 
Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind 
In men of low degree, all smooth pretence ! 
I better like a blunt indifference. 
Wordsworth, \ High-Minded .Spaniard. 
Jane, yon please me, and yon master me you seem to 
submit, and I like the sense of pliancy you impart. 
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, xxlv. 
Insolence had taken the place ot pliancy, and the former 
slave now applied the chain and whin to his master. 
Motley, Dutch Republic, III. 168. 
There was In Bacon an Invariable pliancy in the pret- 
ence of great persous which disqualified him for the task 
of giving wise and effectual counsel. 
E. A. Abbott, Bacon, p. 21. 
pliant (pli'ant), a. [< y[R.plyannt,< OF.nliant, 
pleiant, ploiant, F. pliant, flexible, supple, pli- 
ant, folding. < L. plican(t-)s, ppr. of plicare. (> 
F. palter), fold: seepfy.] 1. Capable of being 
easily bent; flexible; supple; limber; lithe: 
as, A pliant twig. 
80 pliant were 
His goodly tlmber'd Limbs, and yet so stout. 
That wax and steel seem'd kindly marry'd there. 
J. Beaumont, Psyche, I. 61 . 
Me of a pliant nietall you shall flnde ; 
See then you cast and shape me to your mliide. 
Heyvood, Dialogues. 
Who foremost now delight to cleave 
With pliant arm thy glassy wave? 
Grai/, Prospect of Eton College. 
A well organized and very pliant hand may determine to 
occupations requiring manual dexterity. 
Beddoa, Mathematical Evidence, note. 
Pliant at a wand of willow. LongfeUmr, Hiawatha, vl. 
Paint that figure's pliant grace. 
M. Arnold, Switzerland. I. 
2. Easily bent or inclined to any purtictilur 
course; readily influenced for good or evil: 
easy to be persuaded; yielding. 
I ... 
Took once a pliant hour, and found good meant 
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart. 
Sli.tlt . Othello, I. S. K.I. 
No man hat hit servant more obsequious and pliant. 
B. J union. Every Man out of hit Humour. I. 1. 
