THE ABDOMEN. 231 



of the lesser curvature, where it breaks up in forming the 

 superior and inferior gastric artefi'ies, which run to the sur- 

 faces of the same name. The splenic, inclining to the left, 

 passes between the layers of the gastro-splenic omentum, 

 sending branches outwards to the spleen, inwards to the 

 stomach, and, after gaining the apex of the spleen, it con- 

 tinues along the greater curvature as the left gastric artery. 

 The hepatic, running to the right side to gain the porta of 

 the liver, sends a branch to the duodenum, which, on gain- 

 ing the intestine, sends a branch backwards to anastomose 

 with the first mesenteric branch of the anterior mesen- 

 teric trunk, and one forwards to be continued beyond 

 the pylorus, over the right extremity of the greater cur- 

 vature, forming the rigid gastric artery. All these vessels 

 give off branches freely, which anastomose, and from which 

 the blood is returned by the gastric vein, which is the last 

 to gain vena portse before it enters the liver. The nerves 

 of the stomach are derived from the splanchnic and solar 

 nerves ; while the left pneumogastric mainly expends 

 itself on the upper surface, the right runs to the inferior, 

 but both these nerves are intimately connected with the 

 semilunar ganglion. For convenience of reference the 

 cavity of the belly is by anatomists artificially divided 

 into nine parts. From either side of the ensiform car- 

 tilage in a direct line backwards to the brim of the pelvis, 

 and from the ant ero -inferior spinous process of one ilium 

 to the other, and from the posterior margin of the last rib 

 to that of the other, lines are drawn, and in this way the 

 cavity is found to present anteriorly the epigastric portion, 

 with the right and left hypochondriacs on either side ; 

 centrally, the umbilical portion, with the right and left 

 lumhars ; posteriorly, the hypogastric and the right and left 

 iliacs. 



The intestines present three coats — serous, muscular, and 

 mucous. The serous coat has already been noticed as 

 part of the visceral peritoneum. It is the most external of 

 the coats, and extends from the stomach to the anterior 

 part of the rectum, thus leaving the posterior part of that 

 bowel with only two coats. It is also deficient where two 

 portions of intestine lie in close apposition permanently, 

 or where organs, as the pancreas, come into intimate con- 

 tact with the intestinal walls. The muscular coat consists 

 of two orders of fibres of the white, unstriated, or involun- 



