IO4 THE- PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION 



death from inanition in two or three weeks ; and previous to 

 that sequel the most striking phenomenon is marked glyco- 

 suria, with the ordinary symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Re- 

 tention of a comparatively small portion of the gland obviates 

 this condition. Sugar does not exist normally in the blood, 

 and this internal secretion may contain some ferment which 

 effects its consumption. 



The Liver. 



The liver is the largest gland in the body. Its function is 

 to produce bile, glycogen and urea. 



FIG. 43. The under surface of the liver. 



i, lobus hepatis sinister; 2, lobus henatis dexter; 3, quadrate lobe; 4, caudate 

 lobe; 5, lobus caudatus; 6, hepatic artery; 7, portal vein; 8, fossa ductus venosi; 

 9, fossa vesicae fellae; 10, cystic duct; n, hepatic duct; 12, fossa venae cavae; 

 13, vena cava. 



Anatomy. The liver is situated in the upper part of the 

 abdominal cavity, chiefly in the right hypochondrium. Its 

 weight in the average adult is about four and a half pounds. 

 It is covered, except for a small area behind, by peritoneum, 

 processes of which run from it at several points and consti- 

 tute its supporting ligaments. The proper coat of the liver 

 lies underneath the peritoneum, and at the transverse fissure 



