za 
THE SUPRARENAL CAPSULES. 1153 
The left suprarenal capsule presents a semilunar form, and as a rule is shehtly 
larger than the right capsule. Its position on the kidney is also somewhat different. 
It is usually placed on its inner border immediately above the hilus. The 
Capsular vein 
Surface in contact a4 
with liver ike 
Ayer Surface covered 
_7 by inferior cava 
Surface covered by 
peritoneum 
Fie. 787. 
A. Anterior surface of right suprarenal capsule. B. Anterior surface of left suprarenal capsule. 
The upper and inner parts of each kidney are indicated in outline. On the right capsule the dotted line 
indieates the upper limit of the peritoneal covering. 
anterior surface presents, not far from its lower end, a very obvious hilus with a 
large emerging vein. The greater part of this surface is in relation to the posterior 
aspect of the stomach, and forms a portion of the bed in which that organ lies. This 
gastric area of the suprarenal capsule is clothed by peritoneum derived from the 
lesser sac. The lower portion of the anterior surface is covered by the pancreas 
and crossed by the splenic vessels, and is not in relation to the peritoneum. Some- 
times the spleen extends inwards so as to le in relation to the upper part of the 
} _— Surface in relation to 
SNe lige erus of diaphragm 
Surface in relation ~~ y ‘ 
to diaphragm™> av 
if 
Surface in relation 
to kidney 
Surface in relation 
A to kidney B 
Fic. 788. 
A. Posterior surface of right suprarenal capsule. B. Posterior surface of left suprarenal capsule. 
anterior surface of the left suprarenal capsule, but this cannot be said to be the 
rule. The posterior surface is subdivided into two areas, as on the right side, by a 
curved ridge. The upper area is flat, and applied to the left crus of the diaphragm ; 
the lower area is hollowed out, and is in relation to the kidney, a considerable 
amount of fat intervening. 
In the foetus the suprarenal capsules are relatively very much larger than in the adult. 
Indeed, on the left side the capsule extends downwards on the kidney so far that the spleen is 
completely shut out by it from that organ. 
Vessels of the Suprarenal Bodies.—-Each capsule receives three arteries—viz. from the inferior 
phrenic, from the aorta, and from the renal artery. One large vein, emerging from the hilus on 
73 
