The anatomy of humane bodies epitomized wherein all parts of man's body, with their actions and uses, are succinctly described, according to the newest doctrine of the most accurate and learned modern anatomists / by a Fellow of the College of Physicians, London.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Nerves of the Vertebrae of the Breast.

FROM the marrow of the vertebrae of the Tho∣rax twelve pair spring.* 1.1 In all of which the formore branch is bigger; and the hinder, which is bestowed upon the Muscles seated in the Back, smaller.

The first springeth out of the hole which is common to the seventh vertebra of the Neck,* 1.2 and the first of the Breast, and therefore 'tis indiffe∣rent whether it be esteemed to belong to the Neck or Thorax, some reckoning it to be the eighth of the Neck, and others (as we do here) the first of the Breast. Each Nerve is presently divided (as all the rest are) into two branches; the formore of which is united to the sixth and se∣venth of the Neck as was noted in the foregoing Chapter, and so is all spent on the Arms, except one little twig that springing out of its beginning marcheth forward towards the Sternum, and be∣stoweth twigs on the Musculus subclavius, and those Muscles which arise from the top of the Sternum; and another that goes to that Muscle which fills up the hollowness of the Shoulder-blade. The hinder branch creeping under the Muscles which cleave to the Vertebrae, is bestowed upon the Muscles of the Neck, Head and Shoul∣der-blade.

The second issueth out of the space between the first and second vertebrae of the Breast;* 1.3 and its fore branch is united with the first of the Thorax,

and together with it is joined to the sixth and se∣venth of the Neck, which all together make one Plexus that sendeth forth all the Nerves to the Arms that they have, (as shall be further explain∣ed Book 4. Chap. 3.) But besides that branch by which it unites with these, it sends a twig also to the Intercostal nerve (or ninth pair) descend∣ing down the Thorax, (as also does every one of the remaining ten pair) and from that twig before it join with the Intercostal there proceed small slips to the Muscles that lie upon the Breast. The hinder branch hath the same distribution with the hinder of the foregoing pair.

The rest of the ten pair come out of the lateral holes of the Vertebrae,* 1.4 and are all immediately divided into two branches; whereof the formore being larger, always sendeth one twig to the In∣tercostal nerve, and the remainder of it is be∣stowed on the Intercostal Muscles internal and external, and on those that lie on the Thorax; as also on the obliquely descending Muscles of the Abdomen, &c. The hinder bend backward to the Spine, and are spent upon the Muscles and Skin of the Back.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Twelve of the Tho∣rax.
• * 1.2

  The first pair.
• * 1.3

  The second.
• * 1.4

  The rest of the pairs.