Part 44

Abdominal Muscles: These are supplied by the lower intercostals and the transversalis and internal oblique make connection with L 1 by the iliohypogastric. Cremaster is supplied by L 1 and 2 by way of the genital branch of the genitofemoral.

Perineal Muscles: The anterior perineal group are supplied by the perineal branch of the internal pudic which traces to the second, third, and fourth sacral nerves. The posterior perineal and ischiorectal region is also supplied by the sacral and coccygeal nerves.

Trachea and Bronchi: Vagus and sympathetic filaments from first and second thoracic ganglia. The latter receive preganglionic fibres from first dorsal nerve in all probability, as this adjustment reaches the bronchi.

Lungs: The third thoracic ganglia connect with the pulmonary plexus and establish a connection from third dorsal vertebra direct to the lung parenchyma. The Pleurae have a similar connection or may sometimes be reached by the first dorsal.

Heart and Pericardium: In 55% of all heart disease or improper action the second dorsal is responsible; in 40% the first dorsal, and perhaps in the remaining 5% the atlas or axis. The former nerves (T 1 and 2) furnish pre-ganglionic fibres which stream upward through the gangliated cord to terminate in the three cervical ganglia in relation with the dendrites of new neurons (amyelinic) which form the superior, middle, and inferior cardiac nerves and pass into the thorax to mingle with vagal fibres to form the superficial and deep cardiac plexuses, controlling the heart. Probably the upper cervicals occasionally affect the vagus through the loop between the first and second cervical nerves.

Thoracic Aorta: Controlled by sympathetic from first thoracic ganglion or last cervical ganglion, and thus by seventh cervical or first dorsal vertebra.

Abdominal aorta--Coeliac Axis: The upper portion of the abdominal aorta is innervated by the coeliac or solar plexus of the sympathetic. Sub-plexuses from the coeliac accompany the various branches of the aorta and are widely distributed to the blood-vessels and to the glands and non-striated muscle of the abdominal organs. The coeliac plexus receives fibres from the right vagus and from the greater, lesser, and least splanchnic nerves, by the latter route making connection with the thoracic ganglia of the sympathetic from fifth to last. These ganglia receive pre-ganglionic fibres from the thoracic spinal nerves in the form of white rami communicantes, so that it is not incorrect to say that the coeliac plexus and its branches are largely controlled by the condition of the last eight thoracic nerves.

Through this intricate plexus it is difficult to trace the relations of each abdominal organ with the particular vertebrae of which subluxation would produce disease in said organ. By the aid of clinical experimentation covering a period of years and by diligent search among anatomies and physiologies, we have arrived at the conclusions indicated in succeeding statements.

The most important spinal connection with the abdominal blood-vessels is that of the fifth dorsal vertebra, for the fifth dorsal nerve, by its rami, seems greatly to influence the caliber of the aorta and coeliac axis.

A. Cortico Spinal nerve. B. Spino Ganglionic nerve. C. Ganglio Ganglionic nerve. D. Ganglio Peripheric nerve. E. Blood Vessel Wall.

Parker

Fig. 32. Schematic representation of nerve pathway from brain to periphery by way of sympathetic. ]

Liver: Fourth thoracic nerves (especially the right) to gangliated cord, via great splanchnic nerve to coeliac plexus, by hepatic plexus to interior of liver. The hepatic plexus gives off the cystic plexus which controls the gall-bladder.

Stomach: Sixth and seventh dorsal nerves by white rami to and through the ganglia of the gangliated cord to coeliac plexus. The gastric plexus is an offshoot of the coeliac and gives off Auerbach’s plexus to the muscular coat, and Meissner’s plexus to the submucous and mucous coats of the stomach. The nutrition of the stomach walls, their peristaltic action, and the secretory action of the stomach glands are thus brought under the direct influence of the sixth or the seventh dorsal subluxation.

Pancreas: Eighth dorsal nerve by great splanchnic to coeliac plexus, to hepatic and superior mesenteric plexuses, and by the pancreatico-duodenal branches of the former and pancreatic branches of the latter to the pancreas.

Spleen: The coeliac plexus, the left semilunar ganglion, and the left vagus and right phrenic nerves give off branches which form the splenic plexus. Spinal connection by way of ninth dorsal nerve, by rami communicantes to gangliated cord to great splanchnic nerve to coeliac plexus to splenic plexus. Many nerve pathways like this one are less indirect than they sound; various names have been given to different parts of the same pathway through which, often, the axons pass without interruption. On the way from the cerebral cortex to one of the abdominal viscera there may be only three, sometimes four or five, neurons connected end to end.

Duodenum: Coeliac plexus by way of duodenal branches of hepatic plexus and branches from the superior mesenteric plexus. Spinal connection from eighth dorsal nerve and possibly branches from the upper lumbar ganglia of the sympathetic may join the superior mesenteric plexus, as results in duodenal disease are occasionally reported following specific adjustment of L 1 or 2.

Jejunum and Ileum: Connection same as for duodenum, by superior mesenteric plexus. Adjustment of L 2 in typhoid fever is undoubtedly correct so that it is probable that the lumbar ganglia send branches to this vicinity.

Peritoneum: Nerve supply to the peritoneum is rather general owing to its great extent. It is supplied by the sympathetic from both the lower thoracic and lumbar portions of the gangliated cord through the various abdominal plexuses and in general it may be said that any localized peritoneal disease will yield to the same adjustment as would be made for disease in the immediately subjacent organ.

Suprarenal Capsules: These important glands are supplied by amyelinic fibres derived from the gangliated cord by the lesser splanchnic nerve and connecting with pre-ganglionic fibres from the tenth dorsal nerve. The suprarenal plexus is an offshoot of the coeliac.

Kidneys: Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth dorsal nerves by way of lesser and least splanchnic nerves to renal plexus, an offshoot of the coeliac. McConnell’s experiments and the frequently duplicated clinical feats of Chiropractors prove this to be a vital and dominant nerve pathway in kidney disease.

Ureters: Nerves derived from inferior mesenteric, pelvic, and spermatic plexuses. Most important connection seems to be from first lumbar nerve by lumbar ganglia to inferior mesenteric plexus.

Caecum and Vermiform Appendix: The inferior mesenteric plexus, which supplies these organs probably carries to them chiefly fibres derived from the lumber ganglia which complete a connection with the second lumbar vertebra, especially on the right side.

Colon: Third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, influencing lumbar ganglia and thus inferior mesenteric plexus.

Rectum: Lower lumbar ganglia by inferior mesenteric and plevic plexuses, through superior and inferior hemorrhoidal plexus to rectum. Adjustment L 4 or 5. Visceral branches from the third and fourth sacral nerves also pass directly to the rectal wall and sacral adjustment may affect rectum or anus.

Bladder: The urinary bladder is innervated by the vesical plexus from the pelvic, and by sacral nerve fibres direct. It is said that the vesical plexus contains many spinal nerve fibres which are derived from the second and fourth lumbar nerves especially. Clinically the second or the fourth lumbar will control the bladder much oftener than the sacrum.

Prostate Gland, Seminal Vesicles, Penis, and Urethra: By the vesical and prostatic plexuses derived from the pelvic plexuses, divisions of the hypogastric plexus, which is formed of the abdominal aortic plexus and filaments from the lumbar ganglia. The latter receive filaments from the second and third lumbar nerves. There is a connection with the sacral nerves also by the pelvic plexus, though the lumbar adjustment appears the more potent.

Testes and Scrotum: Ilioinguinal from second lumbar, genital branch of genito-femoral from second and third lumbar nerves, internal pudic nerve from the pudendal plexus, and spermatic and pelvic plexuses. The most effective adjustment for scrotal or testicular diseases is L 3.