[ 251 J 



SECT. XXVIIl. 



OF THE FUNCTION OF THE INTESTINES. 



405. The intestinal tube, over which the omentum 

 is extended, and which receives the chyme to elaborate 

 it farther (362, 363) and separate the chyle from the 

 faeces, is divided into two principal portions — the small 

 and large intestines, of whose functions we shall speak 

 separately. j 



406. The small* intestines are again divided into 

 three : the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. 



The first is named from its usual length. 



The second from generally appearing collapsed and 

 empty. 



The third from its convolutions : it is the longest of 

 the three, fuller, and, as it were, inflated, and sometimes 

 resembling the large intestines by the appearance of 

 bullae. 



407. The coats of the small intestines correspond 

 with those of the stomach (354). 



The external is derived from the mesentery. 



The muscular consists of two orders of fibres : the ' 

 one longitudinal, interrupted, external, and found espe- 

 cially about the part opposite the mesentery; the other, 

 annular and falciform, possessing the power of narrow- 



* Chr. Bernh. Albinus, Specimen atiat. exhibens novam tenuium hominis in- 

 test inor. dcscriplioncm. LB. 1724. 8vo. 



