322 



THE DUCTLESS GLANDS. 



[CH. xxin. 



The Spleen. 



The Spleen is the largest of the ductless glands ; it is situated 

 to the left of the stomach, between it and the diaphragm. It 

 is of a deep red colour and of variable shape. Vessels enter and 

 leave the gland at a depression on the inner side called the hilus. 



Structure. The spleen is covered externally almost completely 



tit 



Fig. 296. Section of injected dog's spleen, c, capsule; tr, trabeculse ; m, two Malpighian 

 bodies with numerous small arteries and capillaries ; a, artery ; I, lymphoid tissue, 

 consisting of closely-packed lymphoid cells supported by very delicate retif onn tissue ; 

 a light space unoccupied by cells is seen all round the trabeculee, which corresponds 

 to the " lymph-path " in lymphatic glands. (Schofleld.) 



by a serous coat derived from the peritoneum, while within this 

 is the proper fibrous coat or capsule of the organ. The latter 

 is composed of connective-tissue, with a large preponderance of 

 elastic fibres and a certain proportion of unstriated muscular 

 tissue. Prolonged from its inner surface are fibrous processes or 

 trabeculee, containing much unstriated muscle, which enter the 



