THE LIVER. 679 



Structure or different elements of the Liver. This organ 

 consists of membranes, blood-vessels, hepatic ducts, lymph* 

 atics, cellular tissue, nerves, and acini. 



The membranes are the serous, which has been noticed, 

 and the fibrous. This latter consists of condensed cellular 

 structure, which lies beneath the serous coat,, and forms the 

 immediate covering to the whole surface of the liver, ad- 

 hering to it, and sending innumerable processes every 

 where into its substance, which both separate and surround 

 the different granules or lobules, forming complete capsules 

 for all the acini. This membrane also forms a sheath for 

 all the vessels which enter or depart at the transverse 

 fissure. This sheath follows and continues round the 

 ramifications of these vessels throughout the liver, and 

 takes the name of the capsule of Glisson. It is regarded in 

 fact as the foundation structure of all the different elements 

 composing this largest gland in the body. 



The blood-vessels of the liver are of three kinds, two of 

 these pass in, the other comes out. The hepatic artery and 

 vena portarum enter the liver, while the vena cava hepat- 

 ico3 pass out. 



The hepatic artery is a branch of the coeliac axis, and as- 



of the liver presented front and towards the ribs a fact of some interest, and 

 in reference to which I have to regret my not being able to procure any infor- 

 mation from those who removed it. 



" If where the umbilical vein or cord enters, be taken as the anterior edge of 

 the liver, in accordance with the usual anatomical descriptions, then the state 

 of things is as follows : 



" 1. The thickest edge, with its round and smooth surface, which is always 

 described as posterior, is now found in front, while the anterior sharp edge is 

 placed behind. 2. The right lobe is much the smallest, and about the size of 

 what the left usually is, while the left was the usual size of the right. 3. The 

 lobulus Spigelii is in front, instead of behind the transverse fissure, and on the 

 left, instead of the right lobe. 4. The inferior vena cava was also in front of 

 the liver, instead of its back part, and on the left instead of the right lobe. 

 If, on the other hand, the thick and round edge of the liver, together with the 

 usual situation of the lobulus Spigelii and ascending cava, be taken as the 

 posterior edge, then the situation of the parts is as follows: 1. The gall 

 bladder is on the posterior edge of the left lobe, instead of the anterior and 

 inferior surface of the right. 2. The umbilical cord enters the centre of the 

 posterior edge, instead of the fissure on the anterior edge. 3. The lobulus 

 Spigelii passes over the transverse fissure to the left lobe." 



