104 



DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE OX 



THE PANCREAS 



The pancreas of the ox is irregularly quadrilateral in form, and lies almost 

 entirely to the right of the median ]:)lane. Its weight is about the same as that of 

 the horse. Its dorsal surface is related to the crura of the diaphragm, the coeliac 

 and anterior mesenteric arteries, and the liver. It is attached to the liver at and 

 external to the portal fissure, and to the crura of the diaphragm. Between these 

 adhesions it is free and forms the ventral wall of the epi]5loic foramen (of Winslow). 

 On the right side it extends l:)ackward beyond the caudate lobe of the liver between 

 the layers of the mesoduodenum ; here it is in contact with the upper part of 

 the flank at the lumbo-costal angle, and is related above to the right kidney and 

 by its ventro-lateral border to the ventral part of the duodenum. The gastro- 



Dorsal extremity 



Area of attachment to rumen- 

 {non-peritoneal) 



Posterior border 

 Line of peritoneal reflection 



Splenic vein 

 Splenic artery 

 Hilus 



\'entral extremity 

 Fig. 300— Splken of Ox; Visckrai. Surface. 



intestinal or ventral surface is in contact with the dorsal curvature of the rumen 

 and the intestine. The portal vein passes through the gland. The left extremity 

 is small; the right or posterior is wide and thin and is often divided into two 

 branches. The duct leaves the posterior part of the ventro-lateral (or right) 

 border and enters the duodenum about twelve inches (ca. 30 cm.) further back 

 than the bile-duct. 



THE SPLEEN 



The spleen has an elongated, ellii)tical outline, both extremities being thin, 

 rounded, and similar in size. 



Its average weight is about 30 ounces (ca. 800 to 900 gm.), or about ^ per 

 cent, of the body-weight. Its length is about 16 to 20 inches (ca. 40 to 50 cm.). 



