THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 47 



two lobes of the liver. Its long axis slopes 

 slightly from right to left. 



On microscopic examination this part of 

 the digestive tract is found to contain the 

 same layers as does the oesophagus. A loose 

 adventitious coat covers the outside of the 

 organ. The muscular tunic can be resolved 

 into three strata ; two thin longitudinal layers 

 with a thick circular stratum interposed. 



The mucous membrane and the glands 

 associated with it are remarkable (Fig. 17). 

 The membrane is raised into folds covered by 

 a simple columnar epithelium. Between the 

 folds open numerous simple, and relatively 

 short, tubular glands. A considerable amount 

 of lymphoid tissue is present in the membrane, 

 and a distinct layer of muscle — the muscularis 

 mucosae — can be demonstrated. Beyond the 

 muscularis mucosae, i.e. between it and the 

 proper muscular tunic of the stomach, is a 

 thick and remarkable layer of glands which 

 form the greater part of the thickness of the 

 organ. The glands are grouped together, and 

 the members of each group, or lobule, converge 

 towards the centre and open into a common 

 cavity (Fig. 18). Each gland is simple and 

 tubular, and has a lining of low columnar cells 



