THE K'IDNEYS 



1347 



somewhat quadrilateral field, about the middle of the anterior surface, marks 

 the site of contact with the body of the pancreas, on the deep surface of which are 

 the splenic vessels. Above this is a small triangular portion, between the suprarenal 

 and splenic areas, in contact with the postero-inferior surface of the stomach. 

 Below the pancreatic area the outer part is in relation with the splenic flexure of 

 the colon, the inner with the small intestine. The area in contact with the stomach 

 is covered by the peritoneum of the lesser sac, while that in relation to the small 

 intestine is covered by the peritoneum of the greater sac; behind the latter are some 

 branches of the left colic vessels. 



INFERIOR PHRENIC 

 ARTERIES 



OESOPHAGUS 



SUPERIOR 



MESENTERIC 



ARTERY 



INFERIOR 



MESENTERIC 

 ARTERY 



COMMON 



ILIAC ARTERY 



AND VEIN 



INTERNAL 

 SPERMATIC 



m ARTERV 



| AND VEIN 



INTERNAL 

 - ILIAC ARTERY 

 AND URETER 



FIG. 1087. --Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, 



and great vessels. (Corning.) 



The Posterior Surface (fades posterior} (Fig. 1089). The posterior surface of the 

 kidney is flatter than the anterior and is directed backward and inward. It 

 is entirely devoid of peritoneal covering, being embedded in areolar and fatty 

 tissues. Tt lies upon the Diaphragm, the anterior layer of the lumbar aponeuro- 

 sis. the external and internal arcuate ligaments, the Psoas andTransversalis muscles, 

 one or two of the upper lumbar arteries, the last thoracic, iliohypogastric. and 

 ilioinpuinal nerves. The lumbocostal ligaments overlie the posterior surface of 

 the kidney (Pig* 977). The right kidney rests upon the twelfth rib (Fig. 977), 

 the left usually on the eleventh and twelfth ribs. The Diaphragm separates the 



