198 



ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 



terminates as the superior hemorrhoidal in the upper part of the rectum 

 (Fig. 137). 



The gastric artery follows the lesser curve of the stomach, and is frequently 

 called the coronary artery. The hepatic and splenic both send large branches 

 to the greater curve of the stomach, and also to the pancreas and duodenum 

 before reaching the liver and spleen. 



Superior vena 

 cava 



V. azygos major 



Veins 



Inferior vena 

 cava 



FIG. 135. COURSE OF THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL AORTA. (Morris.} 



The abdominal aorta divides (bifurcates) at the lower border of 

 the fourth lumbar vertebra into the right common iliac and the left 

 common iliac (Fig. 134). 



The two common iliac arteries diverge and when they reach 

 the sides (right and left) of the lumbo-sacral joint, each divides into 

 hypogastric (or internal iliac) and external iliac (see Fig. 134). 



The hypogastric artery passes into the pelvis and gives off 



