VENA PORTARUM. 



323 



be stated here ; but the veins which unite to form the vena por- 

 tarum, and the trunk of that great vein also, before it is con- 

 nected with the liver, may be regarded as a portion of the regu- 

 lar venous system, and ought now to be considered. 



Fig. 180.* 



The Vena Poriarum 



Passes downwards from the great sinus of the liver behind 

 the pancreas, and inclining to the left. In this course it sends 



* The portal vein. 1. The inferior mesenteric vein ; it is traced by means 

 of dotted lines behind the pancreas (2) to terminate in the splenic vein (3). 

 4. The spleen. 5. Gastric veins, opening into the splenic vein. 6. The supe- 

 rior mesenteric vein, 7. The descending portion of the duodenum. 8. Its 

 transverse portion, which is crossed by the superior mesenieric vein and by a 

 part of the trunk of the superior mesenteric artery. 9. The portal vein. 10. 

 The hepatic artery. 11. The ductus communis choledochus. 12. The division 

 of the duct and vessels at the transverse fissure of the liver. 13. The cystic 

 duct leading to the gall-bladder, 



