514 



SPLEEN. 



[CHAP. xxxv. 



Malpighian Corpuscles. Upon making a section of a fresh ox's 

 spleen, a number of small round whitish bodies will be seen. They 

 are sometimes collected in groups of four or six together, and 

 appear to be connected with the smaller arteries, which are in close 

 proximity to them. These small bodies have been named Malpi- 

 ghian corpuscles from their discoverer ; they are in close contact 

 with the spleen pulp, except at the points where they are in con- 

 nection with the coats of the artery. 



The Malpighian corpuscles are very distinct in pigs, sheep, oxen, 

 and guinea pigs. In most other mammalia they are to be demon- 

 strated, although with greater difficulty. In the human subject 

 they are constantly present ; but often are not to be distinguished 

 in consequence of rapidly undergoing post mortem change. In 

 birds, these bodies are very numerous, and have been observed, by 

 Miiller, in the Chelonia, among reptiles, but they cannot be seen 

 in the naked amphibia. In fishes they appear to be absent. 



Fig. 249. 



This figure shows the connection of a splenic corpuscle with the neighbouring vessels, accord- 

 ing to Mr. H. Gray. The corpuscle is placed at the angle of bifurcation of one of the small 

 ajjteries, its external surface being covered by a close and delicate capillary plexus, whilst its 

 circumference is invested by a mesh of large veins, which radiate in every direction from its 

 margins. The comparative size of the arteries and veins, the capillary plexus of the pulp, and 

 the mode in which these vessels communicate with the veins, are shown in this figure. 



