LIVER. 



the falx and of the lateral and coronary ligaments. Below this se- 

 rous coat is a thin lamella of cellular tissue, which invests the 

 organ in its entire extent On the surface of the liver this la- 

 mella is very thin, but opposite to the transverse fissure it is con- 

 siderably increased in quantity, encases the hepatic vessels, and 

 accompanies them throughout their ramifications, supporting 

 them in their course, and constituting the tissue in which the ca- 

 pillary vessels are ramified. 



The liver is heavy, and weighs in an adult human subject about 

 four pounds. Its transverse diameter is from twelve to thirteen 

 inches, and its thickness from five to six inches. When torn or 

 divided, the exposed surface presents a granular appearance, as 

 if it were made up of minute grains or lobules. 



From the recent examination of the liver by Mr Kiernan,* 

 it seems pretty clear that it consists of a great number of 

 small globules, each of which is made up of a reticulated plexus 

 of four different kinds of vessels supported by cellular tissue. 

 These vessels are, 1 . The minute radicles of the biliary ducts, 

 which divide and subdivide so as to form a mesh in the interior of 

 the globule. 2. The terminal branches of the vena portcs, 

 which convey blood to the biliary ducts, in order to secrete bile 

 from it. 3. The minute branches of the hepatic artery, which 

 convey blood into each of the globules, in order to supply the re- 

 quisite nourishment to the parts. 4. The minute ramifications 

 of the hepatic vein, which convey away the superfluous blood from 

 the hepatic artery and throw it into the vena portcs. Besides 

 these four sets of vessels the liver, doubtless, contains lymphatics, 

 which add to the complexity of the structure. The nerves also 

 of the liver serve to complete the structure of this complex or- 

 gan. 



From the preceding statement it is evident that the liver con- 

 sists chiefly of a congeries of five different kinds of vessels con- 

 nected together by cellular tissue. It is not likely that much 

 light ,<could be thrown on its nature by subjecting it to a chemi- 

 cal analysis. We have, however, two elaborate analyses of the 

 liver. Braconnot analyzed the liver of an ox in 1819 ;f and 

 Frornherz and Gugert made a similar set of experiments upon 

 the human liver in 182 7 4 Vauquelin, as long ago as 1791, had 

 made a set of experiments on the liver of the skate (Raiabatis.)^ 



* Phil. Trans. 1833, p. 711. f Ann. de Chira. et de Phys. x. 189. 



\ Scheweigger's Journ. 1. 81. Ann. de Chimie, x. 193. 



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