1076 THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. : 
The inferior surface of the body, which, like the superior, is, as a rule, widest towards 
its left end, looks downwards and slightly forwards. It is completely covered by 
peritoneum, viz. the descending layer, derived from the transverse mesocolon (Fig. 724). 
It lies in contact with the duodeno-jejunal flexure towards its right end, with the splenic 
flexure of the colon near its left end, and with a mass of small intestine (jejunum, which 
is always found packed in beneath it) in the rest of its extent. 
The posterior surface of the body looks directly backwards, and is entirely destitute 
of peritoneum. It is connected by areolar tissue to the posterior abdominal wall with 
the organs lying upon it. From right to left these are: the aorta with the origin of the 
superior mesenteric artery, the left renal vessels, the left suprarenal capsule, and the left 
Top of small sae 
Inferior vena cava Left lateral ligament of liver 
\ | Q£sophageal opening in diaphragin 
Lesser omentum (cut) \ | H I as } Caen 1 a 
| | Gastro-phrenic ligament 
A . \ \ | Corresponds to ‘uncovered area’ of stomach 
tight lateral ligament \ | / ! ‘aét lena y it t) 
- > ye | astro-s a . 2 . 
Brian \ | ih Gastro-splenic omentum (cut) 
1 | / \ \ 
r \ / \ \ \ 
\ { il 
NY. pi ny 
iN 
|| Vy 
Phreno-colie ligament 
/ 
Transverse colon crossing duodenum | / \ : 
Head of pancreas _/ / \ Left end of transverse mesocolon 
peat va ; : 
Great omentum (cut) / | | Splenic flexure of colon 
| 
Part of small sac Transverse mesocolon (cut) 
Root of mesentery (cut) 
Fic. 724.—THE PrkRITONEAL RELATIONS OF THE DUODENUM, PANCREAS, SPLEEN, KIDNEYS, ETC. 
kidney. In addition, the splenic artery runs its tortuous course to the left behind the 
upper border of the pancreas, whilst the splenic vein runs, behind the gland, at a lower 
level than the artery. 
The three surfaces of the body of the pancreas are separated by three borders. The 
anterior border is the most prominent, and gives attachment to the transverse mesocolon 
(Fig. 724). It is, as it were, squeezed forward, by the pressure of the stomach above and 
the small intestine below, into the interval between these two sets of viscera, thus follow- 
ine the line of least resistance (Cunningham). Towards the neck this border is no 
longer prominent, but becomes rounded off, so that here the upper and lower surfaces are 
confluent. 
The coeliac axis projects over the upper border, and sends its hepatic branch to the 
right, resting upon it, whilst the splenic artery runs to the left behind it (Fig. 723). The 
inferior border calls for no special description. 
The tail of the pancreas is the somewhat pointed left end of the body, which is in 
