358 ABSORBENTS OF THE LIVER. 



The Absorbents of the Stomach 



Are of considerable size, and form three divisions. The ves- 

 sels of the first set appear upon both sides of the stomach, and 

 pass throtgh a few glands on the small curvature near the 

 omentum minus. From these glands they proceed to others, 

 which are larger, and which also receive some of the deep- 

 seated absorbents of the liver. The vessels from these glands 

 pass to the thoracic duct, near the origin of the coeliac artery. 

 The second arise also on both sides of the stomach, and pass to 

 the left extremity of the great curvature to unite with the 

 absorbents of that side of the great omentum. They then pro- 

 ceed with the lymphatics of the spleen and pancreas, to the tho- 

 racic duct. The last set, pass off from the right extremity of 

 the great curvature, and unite also with absorbents from the 

 right portion of the omentum. They proceed to near the pylo- 

 rus, and go to the thoracic duct, with some of the deep-seated 

 absorbents of the liver. 



Although the absorbents of the stomach are deep-seated, as 

 well as superficial, it is a general sentiment, that they do not 

 contain chyle in the human subject; notwithstanding chyle 

 has been found in the absorbents on the stomach of dogs, and 

 some other animals. It ought, however, to be remembered, 

 that Sabatier has, in some instances, seen white lines on the 

 stomach, which he supposed to be lacteals. 



The Absorbents of the Liver 



Are especially interesting, because they have been more com- 

 pletely injected than those of any other viscus. They are deep- 

 seated and supcrfcial. The superficial, it has been already 

 observed, admit of injection in a retrograde direction, and, there- 

 fore can be exhibited most minutely ramified. They commu- 

 nicate freely with each other, and also with the deep-seated 

 vessels, by their small ramifications ; so that the whole gland 

 has been injected from one large vessel. 



The gland is so large, that the absorbents of the superior and 

 inferior surfaces proceed from it in different directions. 



