1150 THE DUCTLESS GLANDS. 
The remaining three surfaces of the spleen are turned towards the cavity of the 
abdomen, and are closely applied to the viscera which support the organ in its 
place. These three surfaces, which may be grouped together under the one term 
of visceral aspect of the organ, are separated from each other by three ridges which 
radiate from a blunt and somewhat inconspicuous prominence which may be termed 
the internal basal angle. One of these ridges, a salient and prominent border (Qnargo 
intermedius), extends to the upper end of the spleen, and separates an extensive 
anterior gastric area from a narrower posterior renal area. A second short border 
passes backwards to the posterior basal angle, and intervenes between the renal and 
basal surfaces; whilst the third ridge, often obscurely marked, proceeds forwards to 
the anterior basal angle and separates the gastric and the basal surfaces from each 
Rib IX 
Rib XI 
Descending colon 
Fic. 785.—DIssEcTION OF THE SPLEEN, LIVER, AND KIDNEYS FROM BEHIND, IN A SUBJECT HARDENED BY 
FORMALIN-INJECTION. 
other. The term basal surface is applied to a triangular area which is mapped 
out by the two last-named ridges together with the lower border of the organ. 
The gastric surface (facies gastrica) is the most extensive of the three visceral 
districts. It is deeply concave, and is moulded on the fundus of the stomach. 
Within its area, and about an inch or so in front of the margo intermedius, is the 
hilus of the organ. This is a slit, frequently broken up into two or more pieces, 
which gives passage to the vessels and nerves which enter and leave the spleen. 
Behind. the hilus, and immediately in front of the internal basal angle, there is a 
depression of variable extent and depth into which the tail of the pancreas 1s 
received. 
The renal surface (facies renalis) is flat and even. It is applied to the anterior 
surface of the upper part of the kidney, close to its outer border. Sometimes the 
part -of this surface which adjoins the apex or upper end of the organ is applied to 
the left suprarenal capsule, but as a rule it falls short of that structure. 
The basal surface (facies basalis) is the smallest of the three visceral areas. It 
a 
