1160 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



of the sternum to the upper border of the symphysis pubis. The same level is 

 obtained usually, but not so accurately, by taking the mid-point of a line drawn 

 from the xiphi-sternal articulation to the umbilicus. 



Contents of the Abdomen. The following structures are found within the 

 abdominal and pelvic cavity : 



1. The greater part of the alimentary canal, viz., stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. 



2. Digestive glands : the liver and pancreas. 



3. Ductless glands : the spleen and the two supra-renal glands. 



4. Urinary apparatus : the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and part of urethra. 



5. The internal generative organs, according to the sex. 



6. Blood vessels and lymph vessels, and lymph glands. 



7. The abdominal portion of the cerebro-spinal and sympathetic nervous systems. 



8. Certain festal remains. 



9. The peritoneum the serous membrane which lines the cavity, and is reflected over most of 

 its contained viscera. 



Hepato- 



gastric- 



ligament 



Foramen epi- 



Pancreas 



Inferior part 

 "of duodenum 



-Transverse 

 colon 



PEKITON^EUM. 



The arrangement of the peritoneum is so complicated, and its relations to the 

 abdominal contents so intricate and detailed, that it will be expedient to postpone 



its complete description until 

 the various organs, with their 

 special peritoneal relations, have 

 Liver been separately considered. 



Nevertheless, it will be necessary 

 to give here a general account 

 of the disposition of the mem- 



Srmv passed* 1 brane > and to refer to S0me f 



through it. the folds which it forms in pass- 

 ing from organ to organ, or 

 from these to the abdominal wall. 

 The peritoneum is the serous 

 membrane which lines the ab- 

 dominal cavity and invests most 

 of the abdominal viscera, to a 

 The mesentery g rea t e r or less degree. Like the 

 pleurae, pericardium, and other 

 serous sacs, its walls are com- 

 posed of a thin layer of fibrous 

 tissue, containing numerous 

 elastic fibres, covered over on the 

 side turned towards the cavity 

 of the sac by a layer of flattened 

 endothelial cells forming the 

 tunica serosa. Like them, too 

 the peritoneum in the male is 

 completely closed bag, but in tht 

 female this is not the case, foi 

 FIG. 914. DIAGRAMMATIC MEDIAN SECTION OF FEMALE BODY, the OStium abdominale of eacl 

 to show the peritoneum on vertical tracing. The great sac u t e rine tube Opens into the Sac 

 of the peritoneum is black and is represented as being , ., , 



much larger than in nature ; the bursa omentalis is very whilst the OStium uteriE 

 darkly shaded ; the peritoneum on section is shown as a that tube Communicates With th' 

 white line ; and a white arrow is passed through the interior of the uterus, and thUE 



omer!taHs eplpl0 a indirectly, with the exterior o 



the body. Normally the mem 



brane secretes only sufficient moisture to lubricate its surface, otherwise the sa 

 is perfectly empty, and its opposing walls lie in contact, thus practically obliteratm; 

 its cavity. 



The use of these lubricated and highly polished serous linings, found in th 



Uterus- 



Bladder 



Rectum 



.Recto-uterine 

 pouch 



