ABSORBENTS OF THE LIVER. 359 



A large absorbent is generally found on the suspensory- 

 ligament. This is formed by the union of a great many 

 branches that arise both on the right and left lobes, but princi- 

 pally on the right. It often passes through the diaphragm at 

 an interstice which is anterior to the xiphoid cartilage, and 

 then proceeds through the glands on the anterior part of the 

 pericardium. 



Several absorbents proceed to the lateral ligaments on each 

 side, and then pass through the diaphragm. Some of these 

 branches return again into the abdomen, and the others generally 

 run forwards in the course of the ribs, and join those which pass 

 up from the suspensory ligament. The trunk, or trunks, 

 formed by these vessels, either pass up between the lamina of 

 the mediastinum, and terminate in the upper part of the thora- 

 cic duct ; or they accompany the internal mammary arteries, 

 and terminate on the left side in the thoracic duct, and on the 

 right in the trunk of the absorbents of that side. 



The Absorbents on the concave side of the liver are as nume- 

 rous as those on the convex side ; they are also very abundant 

 on the surface of the gall-bladder. The greatest part of them 

 join the deep-seated vessels. 



The Deep-seated Absorbents proceed in considerable numbers 

 from the interior of the liver through the portas. They accom- 

 pany the biliary ducts and the great blood-vessels of the organ ; 

 and, after passing through several glands, near the vena porta- 

 rum, terminate in the thoracic duct, near the commencement of 

 the superior mesenteric artery. 



Mascagni states, that the absorbents of the liver will be dis- 

 tended, by injecting warm water into the biliary ducts, or the 

 vena portarum. 



He also observes, that in those preparations in which the 

 superficial vessels are completely injected, in the retrograde 

 direction, the peritoneal coat of the liver appears to be com- 

 posed entirely of absorbent vessels ; and to be connected 

 to the membrane within, by many filaments, which are also 

 absorbent vessels. 



