81 



SPLANCHNOLOGY. 



accompanied by tlie hepatic artery and duct, all being invested 

 by Glisson's capsule ; it is divided into right and left, and each 

 part subdivides in the portal canals until it reaches the inter- 

 lobular spaces, where it gives off the interlobular branches. 

 These ramify in the interlobular spaces, on the capsules of the 

 lobules, where they give off lobular branches, that penetrate the 

 lobules, forming in each an intralobular plexus, which terminates 

 in an intralobular branch of the hepatic vein. 



The hepatic artery enters the liver at the transverse fissure, in 

 company with the portal vein and biliary duct. With them it 

 ramifies in the portal canals, giving off vaginal branches to 



Glisson's capsule, and to the 

 coats of the portal vein and 

 biliary duct; interlobular 

 branches, which pass to the 

 capsules of the lobules, ter- 

 minating in the capillary 

 plexus within them ; and cap- 

 sular branches Avhich chielly 

 supply the capsule of the 

 liver. The following names 

 have also been applied to 

 these vessels : — Rami Yascu- 

 lares, supplying the walls of 

 bile ducts and blood-vessels, as 

 Vasa Vasorum ; Rami Cap- 

 sulares, supplying the capsule; 

 and Rami Lobulares supplying 

 the substance of the lobule. 

 The hepatic vein commences in the interior of each lobule by 

 tvviglets which converge to form the intralobular vein, which 

 leaves the lobule at the middle of its base, and enters the sub- 

 lobular vein. The sublobular veins unite to form large and still 

 larger veins, the hepatic veins, which finally join the vena cava 

 in the anterior fissure. 



The hepatic or bile duct is the duct of the gland, conveying 

 away its secretion, the bile. 



The biliary tubes originate within the lobules in a plexus 

 among the hepatic cells, called the intralobular biliary plexus, 

 which on the cajjsule of the lobule forms the interlobular 

 branches, which join each other, gain the portal canals, and ulti- 



FlG. 105. 

 Horizontal section of three hepatic lobules, a a, 

 /ntralobular veins— origins of the hepatic system ; 

 h h, Jjiferlobular veins— terminations of the portal 

 system. The capillaries joining the two systems are 

 the intralobular plexuses. 



