372 



DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE HORSE 



The posterior border presents a deep notch to the right of the median plane 

 for the portal vein, which passes through the gland very obliquely. There is a 

 thin bridge of gland tissue dorsal to the vein, thus forming the portal ring (Annulus 

 portarum). The root of the great mesentery is in contact with the border just to 

 the left of the median plane. 



The anterior or duodenal angle (Caput pancreatis) is attached to the concavity 

 of the second curve of the duodenum, and the adjacent part of the right lobe of the 

 liver. The ducts leave at this extremity. 



The left or splenic angle (Cauda pancreatis) corresponds to the tail of the pan- 

 creas in man. It is in contact with the base of the spleen, the left kidney and 

 adrenal body, and the saccus csecus of the stomach. 





^'^/, 



<?^ 



'^ Ve/r, 



A. 





'Porta' 



Riqhh 

 kidney 



Stomach 



Pancreatic 

 duct 



Fig. 273. — Pancreas of Horse with Chief Relations, V^entral View. 

 The pancreatic duct and its two chief radicles are indicated by dotted lines, since they are in the substance of the 



gland. 



The right angle is rounded, and lies on the ventral surface of the right kidney 

 and adrenal body. 



The pancreas is attached dorsally l^y connective tissue to the kidneys and 

 adrenal bodies, the gastro-phrenic ligament and the suspensory ligament of the 

 spleen, the posterior vena cava, the portal fissure, and the gastro-pancreatic fold. 

 The ventral surface is mainly attached by areolar tissue to the base of the caecum 

 and the terminal part of the great colon. 



There are almost invariably two ducts. The large one is termed the pan- 

 creatic duct (Ductus pancreaticus [Wirsungi]). It is formed by the union of two 

 radicles wdiich come from the right and left extremities, and passes through the duo- 

 denal angle to end at the duodenal diverticulum alongside of the bile-duct. The 



