FISSURES OF THE LIVER. 513 



The Longitudinal fissure is a deep groove running from the notch 

 upon the anterior margin of the liver, to the posterior border of the 

 organ. At about one third from its posterior extremity it is joined 

 by a short but deep fissure, the transverse, which meets it trans- 

 versely from the under part of the right lobe. 



Fig. 154 * 



The longitudinal fissure in front of this junction lodges the fibrous 

 cord of the umbilical vein, and is generally crossed by a band of 

 hepatic substance called the pons hepatis. 



The Fissure for the ductus venosus is the shorter portion of the 

 longitudinal fissure, extending from the junctional termination of 

 the transverse fissure to the posterior border of the liver, and con- 

 taining a small fibrous cord, the remains of the ductus venosus. 

 This fissure is therefore but a part of the longitudinal fissure. 



The Transverse fissure is the short and deep fissure, about two 

 inches in length, through which the hepatic ducts, hepatic artery, 

 and portal vein enter the liver. Hence this fissure was considered 

 by the older anatomists as the gate (porta) of the liver ; and the 

 large vein entering the organ at this point, the portal vein. At their 

 entrance into the transverse fissure the branches of the hepatic duct 

 are the most anterior, next those of the artery, and most posteriorly 

 the portal vein. , 



* The under surface of Jhe liver. 1. The right lobe. 2. The left lobe. 3. The lobus 

 quadratus. 4. The lobus. Spigelii. 5. The lobus caudatus. 6. The longitudinal fis- 

 sure, in which is seen the rounded cord ; the remains of the umbilical vein. 7. The 

 pons hepatis. 8. The fissure for the ductus venosus ; the obliterated cord of the ductus 

 is seen passing backwards to be attached to the coats of the inferior vena cava 9. 10. 

 The gall-bladder lodged in its fossa. 11. The transverse fissure, containing from before 

 backwards, the hepatic duct, hepatic artery, and portal vein. 12. The vena cava. 13. 

 A depression corresponding with the curve of the colon. 14. A double depression pro- 

 duced by the right kidney and its supra-renal capsule. 15. The rough surface on the 

 posterior border of the liver left uncovered by peritoneum ; -the cut edge of peritoneum 

 surrounding this surface forms part of the coronary ligament. 16. The notch on the 

 anterior border, separating tlie two lobes. 17. The notch on the posterior border, cor- 

 responding with the vertebral column. 



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