OBVIOUS STRUCTUKE OF SPLEEN. 343 



'.>-, lymphatics, and nerves. The arteries and veins have been Vessels and 

 described (pp. 332 et seq.) ; and the lymphatics pass to the cceliac nerves - 

 glands. The nerves are furnished by the solar plexus. 



THE SPLEEN. 



The spleen is a vascular spongy organ of a bluish or purple Consistence 

 colour, sometimes approaching to grey. Its texture is friable, and and colour - 

 easily broken under pressure. 



The viscus is somewhat elliptical in shape, and is placed obliquely Form and 

 behind the great end of the stomach. Its size varies much. In the position, 

 adult it measures commonly about five inches in length, three or sizeaild 

 four inches in breadth, and one inch to one inch and a half in thick- 

 ness. Its weight lies between four and ten ounces, and is rather weight. 



BOR DE 



FIG. 129. THE SPLEEN. SEEX FROM THE RIGHT. 



less in the female than the male. Its relations are described 

 on p. 306. 



At the outer or phrenic aspect it is convex towards the ribs. On Surfaces are 

 the opposite side a longitudinal ridge separates an anterior or gastric |astric C ' 

 surface from a narrow internal or renal surface, both of which are and renal, 

 concave. Just in front of the ridge is a groove, or more commonly 

 a series of small depressions, where the branches of the vessels 

 enter : this part is called the hilum of the spleen. 



The anterior border is thinner than the posterior, and is often Borders and 

 notched. Of the two extremities, the lower is more pointed than extre 

 the upper. 



Small masses of splenic substance, or accessory spleens (spleniculi), Sometimes 

 varying in size from a bean to a moderate-sized plum, are found 

 occasionally, near the hilum of the spleen, in the gastro-splenic 

 omentum, or in the great omentum. 



STRUCTURE. Enveloping the spleen are two coverings, a serous Two coats 

 and a fibrous, and the spleen itself is formed of a network of fibrous 

 or trabecular tissue, which contains in its meshes the splenic pulp. 

 Throughout the mass the blood-vessels and the nerves ramify. It 

 has no duct. 



