•512 THE ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 



to the pancreas and base of the spleen. The stomach is retained in 

 position by continuity with the oesophagus and duodenum, and by 

 certain folds of peritoneum, viz., the gastro-phrenic ligament, and the 

 gastro-hepatic, gastro-splenic, and gastro-colic omenta. The gastro- 

 phrenic ligament extends from the diaphragm to the stomach, around 

 the oesophageal insertion. The gastro-hepatic omentum passes between 

 the lesser curvature and the posterior fissux-e of the liver. The gastro- 

 splenic 07nentum passes from the cardiac extremity to the spleen. The 

 gastro-colic or great omentum is continuous with the preceding, and 

 passes in the form of a loose fold from the greater curvature. It 

 extends backwards and downwards, and then curves upwai'ds to the 

 roof of the abdominal cavity; and, as has already been explained 

 (page 300), it separates the gi-eater arid lesser cavities of the perito- 

 neum; and, inasmuch as in man it hangs downwards to float upon 

 the intestines, it has been termed the Epiploon. Even in emaciated 

 subjects, it contains between its layers a considerable quaxitity of 

 fat. 



The Duodenum (Plates 43 and 44). A better opportunity to examine 

 this pai-t of the ixitestine is now affox-ded. Comxncncing in the epigas- 

 trixxm, at the pylox-ic orifice of the stomach, it ascends aci'oss the posterior 

 face of the right lobe of the livex-, in passixig ixxto the right hypochou- 

 drium. It then curves backwax'ds in the x-ight lumbar x-egion, beneath 

 the right kidxiey; and sweeping x-ound the crook of the cajcum, it cx-osses 

 the spixie and is continued as the jejunum. Its calibre is gx-eatest just 

 beyoxid the pylorus, and at tliis point it presents, when ixiflated, a small 

 dilatation like a xnixiiatux-e stoxuach with its greater curvatxxx-e sxxperior. 

 Thx'oughout the whole of its course it is retained in position by a xxaxTOW 

 band of peritoxieum formed by the seroixs xnembrane as it passes to 

 envelop the bowel. The right extrexiiity of the pancreas rests against the 

 duodenum, a few inches fx-om the pylorus, and at that point the wall 

 of the bowel is perforated by the bile and pancreatic ducts. 



The Spleen (Plates 43 axid 44) is a bluish-purple solid organ placed 

 ixi close proxixuity to the left sac of the stomach. Ixi the hox*se it has 

 a scythe-shaped outlixie. It presents an extex'xial face, which is slightly 

 coxivex ; axi ixiternal face, which is slightly concave axxd xiarrower thaxi 

 the oixter; an axxterior thick border; axxd a postei'ior border, which is 

 shax'p. Its surfaces are widest above, whei-e they terminate in the base 

 of the organ, and below they taper to the apex. The spleen is situated 

 in the left hypochoxxdx-iac region, and has the followixxg relatioxxs : — Its 

 outei' surface is x-elated to the diaphragm ; its iixner surface contacts with 

 the double coloxx ; its axxterior box'der is pexxetrated by the vessels and 

 nerves of the organ, and is x-elated to the greater curvature of the 

 stomach ; its posterior border is free, and is included between the intes- 

 tines and the diaphragm ; its base is related to the pancreas and left 



