Chap. 24.] drteries of tie Mtftines. itf 



or three in number. They arife from the anterior part 

 of the aorta, and are diftributed on the cefophagus. 



One or more arteries are alfo fent to the diaphragm, 

 and diftributed on its lower furface. 



Below the diaphragm, the defcending aorta fends off 



The cceliac artery, which arifes from the anterior part 

 of the aorta by a fhort trunk, which divides into three 

 principal branches j one runs upwards, and is called 

 the coronary artery of the ftomach, and is chiefly 

 diftributed on that organ ; another runs towards the 

 right, and having fent off one or two branches to 

 the ftomach and duodenum, joins the vena portas, en- 

 ters the fiflure of the liver, and is diftributed through 

 its fubftance j the third is directed to the left, under 

 the ftomach and pancreas, tothefpleen. In its pro- 

 grefs it diftributes fmall branches to the ftomach, pan- 

 creas, and omenturru 



At a fhort diftance below the cceliac, the fuperior 

 mefenteric artery proceeds from the anterior part of 

 the aorta. Near its origin it fends off a fmall branch, 

 which carries blood to the large extremity of the pan- 

 creas, and the neighbouring part of the duodenum. 

 Being included between the laminseofthe mefentery, 

 it forms a kind of arch, which defcends obliquely 

 from left to right, and from which about fixteen or 

 feventeen branches are fent off, moft of which are fpent 

 on the fmall inteftines. As thefe branches approach 

 towards.the inteftines, and are more minutely divided, 

 they inofculate and communicate very freely with each 

 other, fo as at length to furround the inteftines like net 

 work. From the concave fide of the arch proceed fe- 

 veral branches, one of which is of great length, and 

 makes a remarkable communication with the inferior 

 mefenteric artery. From the numerous communications 

 among the arteries of the inteftines, we may obferve how 

 R 4 carefully 



