452 DISSECTION OF THE ABDOMEN. 



Two other plexuses gastro-epiplo'ic (right) and pancreatico-duodenal, 

 correspond in distribution with the branches of each artery. 



A cystic plexus ramifies in the coats of the gall bladder with its artery. 



The remaining offsets of the plexus, viz., superior and inferior mesen- 

 teric, aortic, and spermatic, have been already noticed (p. 443) ; but the 

 derivation of the superior mesenteric and aortic plexuses from the epigas- 

 tric centre can be now seen. 



Ending of the splanchnic nerves. The large nerve perforates the cms 

 of the diaphragm, and generally ends altogether in the semilunar gan- 

 glion. 



The small nerve comes through the same opening in the diaphragm as 

 the preceding, and joins the cceliac plexus. 



The smallest nerve, which is often absent, throws itself into the renal 

 plexus. 



Ending of the vagus nerve. The pneumo-gastric nerves end in the 

 stomach : 



The left nerve divides into branches, which extend along the small cur- 

 vature, and over the front of the stomach ; these send offsets to the hepatic 

 plexus. 



The rigid nerve is distributed to the posterior surface of the stomach 

 near the upper border ; it communicates with its fellow, and with the 

 coeliac and splenic plexuses. 



Dissection. The viscera are now to be removed from the abdomen, in 

 order that the body may be turned for the dissection of the Back and 

 lower limbs. 



The stomach and the spleen, with the duodenum and the pancreas, are 

 to be taken away together by cutting through the ceosphagus near the dia- 

 phragm, as well as the vessels and nerves they receive. The liver is to 

 be removed from the abdomen by dividing its ligaments, and incising the 

 vena cava between the posterior border and the diaphragm. 



At the same time the left testicle, and the right kidney with the supra- 

 renal body, should be removed for examination whilst the body is turned ; 

 the former can be taken out by cutting through the spermatic cord, and 

 the latter by dividing the vessels about the middle. 



Directions. Supposing the body to be now turned for the dissection 

 of the Back, and to lie with the face downwards for the usual time, the 

 dissector may look first to the fascia lumborum, which is described in the 

 Dissection of the Back, p. 357. 



The rest of the time should be occupied in learning the viscera included 

 in the following Section. 



SECTION IV. 



ANATOMY OF THE VISCERA OF THE ABDOMEN. 



THE STOMACH. 



THE stomach is the dilated part of the alimentary tube between the 

 ojsophagus and the small intestine, into which the masticated food is re- 

 ceived to be changed into chyme. 



'Dissection. To see the form, the stomach must be blown up moder- 



