There are chains of glands in relation to the iliac arteries, aorta and inferior vena cava, which resolve themselves into four or five trunks, and join the receptaculum chyli, the dilated commencement of the thoracic duct, which is placed in front of the second lumbar vertebrae. The mesenteric glands are very numerous. They are about the size of a pea or bean, and are scattered between the two layers of the mesentery, the larger ones in relation to the superior mesenteric artery, and the others between its branches. There are over a hundred.

The gangliated cord of the sympathetic system extends downwards upon the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae, and in front of the sacrum, and ends in a small ganglion, which unites the two cords in front of the coccyx. There is a plexus on each sacral vertebra connected by twigs with the spinal nerves.

For the solar and hypogastric plexuses and the splanchnic nerves, see Chapter V.