258 Genetic Interpretations in the Domain of Anatomy 



used instead, as has already been done by a few writers. We can then 

 continue to employ the term lobule for the hing and the liver in the senses 

 tradition gives to the term, as used for these two organs, and avoid 

 confusion. The structural unit ' may be defined as the territory of an 

 organ supplied by a single terminal branch of an afferent vessel (artery 

 or vein). The volume of such a unit is often only 10-20 cubic milli- 

 meters. In the case of the liver, the structural unit comprises parts of 

 several adjacent so-called lobules. It is a pleasure to recall that the 

 recognition of the anatomical importance of these units is due to one 

 of our most distinguished American investigators. Dr. Mall. 



Finally, I should like to apply the principle of genetic interpretation 

 to descriptive anatomy. It will, I think, sufficiently expound the point 

 of view I am advocating to consider the application of the principle to 

 a single organ, and for this purpose we may conveniently select the liver. 

 In order to show that what I propose is practically a real and great 

 innovation, let me indicate to you briefly the character of the anatomical 

 descriptions of the liver to be found in some of the leading text-books of 

 human anatomy. 



In Cunningham's Anatomy (1902), the account of the liver is written 

 by Professor Birmingham. He describes, 1, the general form of the sur- 

 face ; 2, the topographical relations and surfaces in detail ; 3, the fissures, 

 without giving their morphological relations; 4, the division into right 

 and left chief lobes ; 5, the peritoneal relations and ligaments ; 6, the phy- 

 sical characteristics. 

 ■ In the tenth edition of Quain's Anatomy (1896), the description opens, 



1, with the dimensions and weight; 2, the surfaces; 3, the fissures; 4, 

 the ligaments and the omentum; 5, the topographical relations; 6, 

 vessels and nerves; 7, the ducts. 



Testut in the third volume of his Anatomy (1894) gives, 1, the situ- 

 ation ; 2, fixation ; 3, volume and weight ; 4, general confirmation, includ- 

 ing the two chief right and left lobes ; 5, the surfaces in detail. 



The account of the liver in Poirier's Anatomy, A^olume IV (1895), 

 is written by Charpy, who begins with 1, the definition, and continues with 



2, situation ; 3, fixation ; 4, data as to weight, consistency, etc. ; 5, the form 

 and surfaces. Under the head of fixation Charpy says : 



" La foie est suspendu a la voute du diaphragme par deux moyens d'attache: 

 par des replis peritoneaux et par la veine cave inferieiire. ' 



This misleading statement is the more deplorable because he mentions 

 only incidentally that the liver adheres directly to the diaphragm. Quite 

 at the end, the division into the right and left lobes is mentioned. 



