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THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. —
301
The branches of distribution of the spheno-palatine ganglion are
1. Ascending or Orbital Branches, consisting of three or four fine
filaments which pass into the orbit through the spheno-maxillary
fissure, and are distributed to the periosteum and mucous membrane of
the posterior ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuses by passing between the
sphenoid and ethmoid bones.
Some of the branches which pass upward are distributed to the neu-
rilemma of the optic nerve (Arnold and Longet).
A branch from the ganglion ascends to the sixth nerve (Bock and
A^alentin).
Also a branch to the ophthalmic ganglion (Tiedemann).
Two or three branches, spheno-ethmoidal, ascend to the superior por-
tion of the internal orbital wall, pass through the posterior ethmoidal
foramen, and enter the brain-case (Luschka).
2. The Descending or Palatine Branches, three in number—anterior,
posterior, and external. These three branches pass from the superior
maxillary nerve through that portion of the ganglion in which there
is little ganglionic or gray matter. They thus pass to their distribution
without becoming involved or influenced by the ganglion, except it be
to a very slight extent.
The Anterior or Large Palatine Nerve passes downward in the poste-
rior palatine or palato-maxillary canal, and enters the oral cavity at
the posterior palatine ft)ramen. It then passes forward in a groove on
the side of the hard palate to its anterior portion, where it joins the
naso-palatine nerve. It is distributed to the gums, mucous glands, and
membrane of the hard palate. This nerve gives oif a separate branch
(middle palatine), which passes downward to the soft palate in a separate
canal. It also gives oft' branches (inferior nasal) while in the canal,
which are distributed to the middle and inferior turbinated bones.
The Posterior or Small Palatine Nejre passes downward, accompanied
by a small artery in the small palatine canal, to the soft palate, and
divides into two sets of branches. One set is distributed to the levator
palati and azygos uvula muscles, and may be composed entirely of
motor filaments coming from the great superficial jjetrosal branch of the
motor, facial, and the Vidian nerves. The other set, which is sensory,
is distributed to the mucous membrane of the superior surface of the
soft palate, the glands of the soft palate, as well as to the tonsils.
The External Palatine Nerve is the smallest of the three descending
branches, and is not always constant in its existence. It passes doAvn-
ward through the external palatine canal, which is situated between the
tuberosity of the superior maxilla and palate bones, and is distributed
to the tonsils, uvula, and outer portion of the soft palate.
The Internal or Nasal Branches consist of two divisions, upper nasal
and naso-palatine.
The Upper Nasal Branches, four or five in number, are small, and
pass horizontally inward through the spheno-palatine foramen into the
posterior superior portion of the nasal chamber. They are distributed
to the posterior superior portion of the nasal septum, to the mucous
membrane covering the superior and middle turbinated bones, and to
the posterior ethmoidal cells.