i8o2 



HUMAN ANATOMY. 



part is between the non-peritoneal posterior surface of the liver and the abdominal 

 wall. This, of course, like the two preceding areas, has no peritoneum. The rest 

 lies in contact with the lower surface of the liver, and is coated by the peritoneum of 

 the posterior abdominal wall. The a?iterior surface of the left capsule is nearly or 

 quite peritoneal, resting against the stomach, the spleen, and the tail of the pancreas. 

 Structure, — The suprarenal body is in\'ested by a thin, but fairly strong, 

 fibrous capsule. Section across the thicker parts of the organ displays an outer zone, 

 or cortex (.25-1.20 mm. in thickness), which surrounds the central medulla. Where 

 thinnest, as towards the borders, the medulla is reduced to a narrow zone and may be 

 entirely wanting ; where best developed, as in the middle of the organ, it may attain 

 a thickness of over 3 mm. The cortex is usually of a dirty yellow color, presenting 



Fig. 1523. 



Crura of diaphragm 



Capsular vein in groove 

 for vena cava 



Hepatic surface 



Peritoneal surface 

 Inferior vena cava 



Right kidney 



Coeliac artery 



Superior mesenteric artery 



Capsular vein 

 emerging from hilum 



Left renal vein 



Left kidney 



Anterior aspect of suprarenat bodies hardened in situ. 



Fig. 1524 



Diaphragmatic surface 



Rei 



Diaphragmatic surface 



Rei;al surface 



Left Right 



Posterior aspect of suprarenal bodies shown in preceding figure. 



next the medulla a narrow darker zone of varying shades of brown. The medulla is 

 of a grayish tint and generally lighter in color than the cortex. Its exact tint, how- 

 ever, varies with the amount and condition of the contained blood, when engorged 

 with venous blood appearing dark. In consistence the medulla is less resistant and 

 more friable than the cortex. 



The cortical substance consists of a delicate framework of connective tissue, con- 

 tinuous with and prolonged inward from the capsule, in the meshes of which lies the 

 glandular epithelium. The arrangement of the latter, although generally columnar, 

 varies at different levels, three zones being distinguished within the cortex. The 

 zona glomertdosa lies next the capsule, and consists of the somewhat tortuous or 

 coiled groups of cells. The zona fascicu lata forms the chief part of the cortex, and 

 maintains the radial disposition of the cell-columns. The zona reticularis, next the 



