400 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE OX 



curve and is continued by the spiral part (Ansa spiralis). The coils of this are 

 attached to each other by connective tissue, and are best seen from the inner side. 

 The bowel gradually diminishes in caliber, and the terminal part (Ansa distalis) 

 leaves the spiral mass, passes forward to the great mesenteric artery and turns 

 backward between the duodenum and the initial sigmoid part. From the ventral 

 surface of the right kidney it passes backward, forms an S-shaped curve near the 

 pelvic inlet, and joins the rectum; this part is attached to the sublumbar muscles 

 by a short mesentery, and is also attached to the dorsal part of the duodenum. 



The rectum is somewhat shorter than that of the horse, and is usually covered 

 with peritoneum as far back as the first coccygeal vertebra. The retroperitoneal 

 part is surrounded by a quantity of fat. The anus is not prominent. 



Caudate lobe d ? ■ 



^ Kenal ttnpresston 



Area of oitachment to dia- 

 phragm {nonperitoneal) 



Coronary ligament 

 Posterior vena cava 



Hepatic veins 

 (Esopliageul notch 



Fig. 296. — Livkr of Ox, Lf.ft Marcinai. Vikw; Hardknkd i)i situ. 



The serous coat is of course absent on the adherent surfaces of the spiral part 

 of the colon. There is a large amount of fat in the mesentery. The longitudinal 

 muscular coat is evenly distributed, consequently there is no sacculation of the 

 bowel. There is a valvular mucous fold at the ileo-ca)cal orifice. A Peyer's patch 

 occurs in the beginning of the caecum and one in the first part of the colon. 



THE LIVER 

 The liver lies almost entirely to the right of the median plane. Its long axis 

 is directed obliquely downward and forward, about parallel with the median plane, 

 and corresponds to the curvature of the right portion of the diaphragm. It is less 

 extensive, but thicker than that of the horse. Its average weight is about 10 to 

 12 pounds (ca. 4.5 to 5.5 kg.). 



