438 DISSECTION OF THE ABDOMEN. 



pieces, like the other omenta. It covers the vessels passing between the 

 two viscera, and is continued interiorly into the great omentum. 



Folds on the targe intestine. The large intestine is connected to the 

 wall of the abdomen by processes of the peritoneum (meso-colic), which 

 are formed of two pieces, like the other folds, though they are at some 

 distance from each other. Each part of the colon has a separate meso- 

 colon attaching it, thus there is an ascending, a transverse, a descending, 

 and a sigmoid meso-colon. The caecum is fixed by a mcso-crecum, and 

 the rectum by a meso-rectum. 



The meso-caecum attaches the caput caecum coli to the right iliac fossa. 

 Usually the peritoneum does not surround the gut so as to form a fold be- 

 hind it, but in some bodies the serous membrane furnishes a suspensory 

 process to this part of the intestine. 



By the ascending and descending meso-colon the ascending and the 

 descending part of the colon are kept in place. In these folds, as in that 

 of the caecum, the peritoneum does not commonly surround the intestine, 

 though it may meet behind the gut and form processes of some length. 



The upper end of the left colon has a distinct fold (pleuro-colic), 

 fixing it to the wall of the abdomen. Attached by a wide part to the 

 diaphragm opposite the eleventh or tenth rib, it passes transversely below 

 the spleen, and forms the lower boundary of a hollow in which the spleen 

 rests. 



The transverse meso-colon is a more perfect fold than either of the 

 others connected with the large intestine, and serves as a partition between 

 the small intestine and the stomach, liver, and spleen. By one side it is 

 fixed to the colon, and by the other to the abdominal wall below the pan- 

 creas. It incloses the vessels of the colon between its layers. 



The sigmoid meso-colon is a long process of the serous membrane, and 

 attaches the sigmoid flexure of the colon to the left iliac fossa. 



The meso-rectum contains the hernorrhoidal vessels, and connects the 

 rectum to the front of the sacrum. 



Small processes of the peritoneum are attached along the tube of the 

 great intestine, chiefly to the transverse colon ; they are the appendices 

 epiplo'icce, and contain fat. 



Folds to the small intestine. The small intestine is not enveloped by 

 the peritoneum after the same manner throughout. For whilst the jejunum 

 and ileum are attached to the abdominal wall by one process (mesentery), 

 the duodenum has special connections with the serous membrane. 



Serous covering of the duodenum. The first part of the duodenum is 

 surrounded by peritoneum, like the stomach. The second part is covered 

 only in front. And the last part, which crosses the aorta, is but slightly 

 in contact with the serous membrane ; for it lies at first between the 

 strata of the transverse meso-colon, and then beneath the superior mesen- 

 teric vessels. 



Fold of the jejunum and ileum. The mesentery supports the rest of the 

 intestine, and is stronger than any other piece of the serous membrane. 

 Its inner end is narrow, and is attached to the spine from the left side of 

 the second lumbar vertebra to the junction of the right hip bone with the 

 sacrum. The other end of the fold is wide, and is connected with the 

 intestine. Between its two layers are the superior mesenteric vessels and 

 nerves, with lymphatic glands and lacteals. 



Ligaments of the liver. Along the upper part is a suspensory process 

 of the peritoneum, and there is a wide piece along the posterior border. 



