VI. Experiments on the nerves, particularly on their reproduction; and on the spinal marrow of living animals

Abstract

The nerves on which these experiments were made are, the par vagum, and intercostal. The par vagum arise from the basis of the brain, pass through the basis of the skull, along with the internal, jugular veins. They are distributed to the tongue, oesophagus, larynx, heart, and lungs; and, running on each side of the oesophagus, may be said to terminate in the stomach, liver, and semilunar ganglion of the intercostals, below the diaphragm; from whence they are again distributed to the viscera of the abdomen. The intercostals also arise from the basis of the brain, pass through the basis of the skull, along with the carotid arteries. They at first run by the fore part of the vertebrae of the neck, still adhering to the coats of these arteries; but having reached the chest, they leave these arteries, and run before the heads of the ribs, where, sending off branches which pass between the ribs, they have thence been named intercostals. Several of these branches uniting, form a trunk on each side, which, running forwards towards the middle of the spine, perforates the diaphragm, and then terminates in the semilunar ganglion of the intercostals. These trunks are distinguished by the name of the anterior intercostals.