LIVER IN THE HOUSE. 59 



from the small intestines to the mesenteric glands, and thence 

 to the thoracic duct, are regarded as being of exactly the same 

 structure, and even as performing the same function except 

 soon after food has been taken into the stomach as the 

 general system of lymphatic vessels spread over the living 

 frame. That is to say, the lacteal vessels, except when chyle is 

 to be conveyed from the intestines, are merely lymphatic-ab- 

 sorbent vessels. Moreover, the mesenteric glands, through 

 which the lacteal vessels pass, appear to be of exactly the 

 same character as what are called the conglobate glands, every- 

 where connected with the lymphatic system. To this subject, 

 however, reference must be made hereafter. 



The liver, and pancreas or sweetbread, produce each a dis- 

 tinct secretion which mingles with the chyme received by the 

 duodenum from the stomach, so that these organs are beyond 

 question chylopoetic viscera. The spleen is, with less cer- 

 tainty, ranked in the same order of organs ; nevertheless, as 

 there are many strong reasons why it should be regarded as 

 analogous in its function to that of the mesenteric glands 

 that is to say, that it is not a conglomerate gland, like the 

 liver, but a conglobate gland it is in the mean time taken 

 along with the chylopoetic organs. 



Liver. The liver is a large organ placed in the right hypo- 

 chondrium, whence it extends into the epigastrium, and even 

 into the left hypochondrium. Its right lobe or division is in 

 contact with the diaphragm, the duodenum, and the right 

 kidney, and the middle and left divisions with the stomach. 

 It is irregular in its shape, and composed of a peculiar brown 

 substance : it is confined in its proper situation by means of lig- 

 aments, which with one or two exceptions are doublings of tlie 

 peritoneum, or serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity. 

 The right ligament attaches the right lobe to the diaphragm ; the 

 left ligament, the left lobe to the same organ ; the suspensory 



