xv THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 271 



than on right, the large c&liaco-mesenteric artery is given off 

 which supplies the alimentary canal and its appendages. It 

 divides into an anterior branch, or cceliac artery, and a pos- 

 terior branch, the anterior mesenteric artery. The former, 

 after giving off the left gastric artery, which goes to the left 

 side of the stomach, divides into the right gastric artery, sup- 

 plying the right side of the stomach and pancreas, and the 

 hepatic, which, after giving a branch to the anterior branch 

 of the pancreas, is distributed to the liver. The anterior 

 mesenteric artery supplies the small intestine, spleen, cloaca, 

 and anterior portion of the rectum. 



The urinogent fa/ arteries are four to six small arteries which 

 arise from the ventral side of the aorta, and are distributed 

 to the reproductive organs, fat bodies, and kidneys. They 

 vary greatly in their mode of origin, but typically they arise 

 by very short median trunks which divide into right and left 

 branches. 



The lumbar arteries are small vessels, one to four in num- 

 ber on either side, which arise from the dorsal side of the 

 aorta and are distributed to the body wall. 



The posterior mesenteric artery is a small vessel given off 

 from near the posterior end of the aorta. It supplies the 

 posterior portion of the rectum and, in the female, the 

 median dorsal wall of the uterus. 



At its posterior end the dorsal aorta divides into two large 

 iliac arteries, which are distributed mainly to the hind limbs. 

 A short distance behind the bifurcation each iliac artery gives 

 off a branch which divides into an epigastric artery, supply- 

 ing the ventral body wall, and a recto-vesical artery to the 

 rectum and bladder. A small artery arising from the iliac 

 close to the above supplies the seminal vesicles in the male, 

 and the lateral part of the uterus in the female. 



A short distance beyond the foregoing the femoral artery 



