964 THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION. 



from the foetus to the placenta for oxygenation which was returned, as we have 

 seen, by the umbilical vein. The younger the subject under dissection, the 

 bigger are these two cords. Near the umbilicus they subdivide into numerous 

 threads which in part join the urachus, in part run free toward the umbilicus, 

 and only the smallest part reaches it. The proximal part of this artery is still 

 pervious after birth as far as the bladder under the name of superior vesical. 



To either side of the three cords is seen the deep epigastric artery passing in 

 behind the Rectus at the semilunar fold of Douglas. These five bands are cov- 

 ered posteriorly by peritoneum, which is thrown backward in five folds or ridges 

 (plica, fold) forming in all six fossae, or three to a side. Sometimes the obliter- 

 ated hypogastric artery is identical in position with the deep epigastric, in which 

 case folds and fossae are less in number. The middle fold is called plica umbil- 

 icalis media or superior ligament of the bladder ; the next on either side the plica 

 umbilicalis lateralis, or lateral ligament of the bladder ; the fold over the deep 

 epigastric artery is the plica epigastrica. The simplest nomenclature is plica 

 urachi, plica hypogastrica, plica epigastrica. The fossae included between these 

 folds are named the most external, outside the epigastric artery and above Pou- 

 part's ligament, the external inguinal fossa ; between the urachus and the cord 

 of the obliterated hypogastric artery is the internal inguinal fossa, and the 

 remaining depression is the middle inguinal fossa. This one may be very narrow 

 and quite deep. The external fossa has on its floor the internal abdominal ring, 

 and admits the oblique inguinal hernia ; either of the other two alloAvs a direct 

 inguinal hernia. To the inner side of the femoral vein is the femoral or crural 

 fossa, the site of femoral hernia. All the above points should be noticed when 

 the abdomen is opened. 



The structures now presented for study, more or less preliminary at first and 

 in detail later, are here presented. 



1. Peritoneum which lines the cavity and clothes the viscera. 



2. Abdominal part of alimentary canal : 



( Duodenum. 



Small Intestines Jejunum. 

 |^ Ileum. 



! Caecum. 

 Ascending colon. 

 Transverse colon. 

 T> J' 1 



Descending colon. 

 Sigmoid Flexure. 

 [ Rectum. 

 ( Liver. 



3. Accessory Glands < Gall-bladder. 



( Pancreas. 



4. Spleen. 



5. Two Kidneys, Ureters. Adrenals or Suprarenal Capsules, and Bladder. 



6. In female, Uterus, Ovaries, and Fallopian Tubes. 



7. Lymphatic Glands, Vessels, and beginning of Thoracic Duct. 



8. Abdominal Aorta and nine sets of branches. 



9. Vena cava inferior and tributaries ; beginning of Vena azygos major and 

 minor. 



10. Portal venous system. 



11. Lumbar Plexus of cerebro-spinal nerves; Sympathetic Nerves and 

 Plexuses. 



We get but a partial view of all when the viscera are undisturbed (Fig. 584). 

 Like a curtain the great omentum conceals most of the small intestines, but it 

 may be short or turned up or to one side. The parts to be seen are indicated in 

 the diagram. To find the transverse colon, throw the great omentum and stom- 

 ach well up over the ribs ; now the whole colon can be traced, beginning in the 



