KIDNEYS. 



115 



smooth, gradually increasing in size ; it opens into the duodenum 

 near the orifice of the ductus choledochus, and sometimes into it. 

 Its arteries are branches of the splenic. 



SPLEEN. 



The spleen is placed in the left hypochondriac region. Its figure 

 is semi-oval ; its colour brown or purple ; its length four or five 

 inches, and its breadth two or three. Its external surface is convex 

 and smooth, and comes in contact with the diaphragm. Its internal 

 surface is slightly concave, and presents a depression or hilum, 

 where the splenic artery and vein are attached. The edges of the 

 spleen are frequently indented, and there are frequently attached 

 small additional spleens. The structure presents a spongy, grumous 

 mass, which upon washing leaves a fine gray tissue. It is covered 

 with a thin elastic coat, and also by the peritoneum ; this last often 

 has a icrirfkled appearance. 



The splenic artery^ is the largest branch of the coeliac, and 

 divides into four or five branches before it enters the spleen : it has 

 no secretion^ and its use is uncertain. 



KIDNEYS. 



/ 



The kidneys are two hard glands for the secretion of urine, 

 placed in each lumbar region, and reaching from the first to the 

 third lumbar vertebrae ; they are outside of the peritoneal cavity and 

 surrounded with an abundance of fat and loose cellular tissue. The 

 right kidney is rather lower than the 

 left, on account of superposition of the 

 liver. The length is four inches, and 

 the breadth two inches. The shape is 

 oval, resembling a bean ; the position 

 is upright, and the fissure or hilum is 

 directed inwards towards the vertebral 

 column. The upper end of the kidney 

 is rather larger than the lower. It is 

 covered by a strong fibrous capsule. 

 The colour is of a reddish brown. Upon 

 making a longitudinal section of the 

 kidney, tivo different structures are pre- 

 sented. The interyial is of the darker 

 colour, and consists of about fifteen 

 cones of Malpighi, which are ar- 

 ranged in three rows, their apices con- 

 verging towards the hilum. These 

 constitute the medullary portion. The 

 external structure is of a lighter colour usually, is extremely vas- 



Fig. 99. 



