PERSONAL APPEARANCES IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 47 



highest rib and collar-bone, the base being on the surface 

 of the diaphragm. But between the two pleural sacs, and 

 encroaching chiefly on the space occupied by the left, 

 lies the heart, contained in its own bag, the pericardium, 

 and the large blood-vessels coming off from the heart. 



In the abdomen are contained the organs of digestion 

 and of the urinary excretion, as well as an organ which 

 probably has something to do with the formation of 

 the blood the spleen. The spleen lies behind the 

 last ribs on the left side in close contact with the 

 diaphragm ; on the right side behind the ribs, and in 

 the arch of the diaphragm, extending also beyond the 

 middle line to the left, and projecting a short distance 

 below the ribs, is the liver. Partially concealed by its 

 left lobe lies the stomach, the left extremity of which is in 

 contact with the spleen. Immediately below and behind 

 the stomach is the pancreas or sweetbread, which pours 

 its secretion into the commencement of the intestine at a 

 spot where the duct of the liver also sends the secretion 

 of that organ, the bile. The rest of the abdominal cavity 

 is occupied by the coils of the intestine, and the kidneys, 

 the latter lying deeply imbedded in each flank. Lastly, 

 passing down from the thorax through the cavity, and in 

 close contact with the spine, is the great blood-vessel, 

 the aorta, sending off branches in its course to the organs, 

 arid at the lower lumbar region dividing into vessels 

 4 



