THE LIVER 437 



mesenteric and inferior mesenteric plexuses, the latter through 

 the superior hemorrhoidal and the pelvic plexuses. The spinal 

 centres for the nerves of the anus and rectum are situated in 

 the first and second sacral segments of the spinal cord. (Gray.) 



THE LIVER (HEPAR) 



The liver is the largest gland of the body, and fills the entire 

 hypochondrium, the greater portion of the epigastrium, some- 

 times extending into the left hypochondrium. It weighs from 

 50 to 60 ounces in the male; 40 to 50 ounces in the female. 

 Constitutes one-eighteenth of the body weight in the adult, and 

 one thirty-sixth of body weight in the fetus. It measures, 

 transversely, from 8 to 9 inches; anteroposterior, 4 to 5 inches, 

 and vertically, near its right surface, about 6 or 7 inches. 

 Its specific gravity is 1.05. 



The liver presents a superior surface, which includes the right 

 and left lobes; an inferior surface, including the right, left, 

 caudate, Spigelian, and quadrate lobes; anterior and posterior 

 surfaces, comprising the right and left lobes; a lateral surface 

 of the right lobe only. 



It has an inferior border, or margin, which is thin and sharp, 

 and notched opposite the falciform ligament, for the round 

 ligament (umbilical notch), and opposite the cartilage of the 

 ninth rib by a second notch for the fundus of the gall-bladder. 



The left extremity of the inferior margin of the liver is thin 

 and flattened from above downward. 



The ligaments of the liver are all peritoneal folds excepting 

 the round ligament, which is a fetal remnant of the umbilical 

 vein. The falciform ligament (ligamentum falciforme hepatis) 

 is broad and thin, runs from before backward, and is attached 

 above to the diaphragm and the posterior surface of the sheath 

 of the right rectus muscle as far as the umbilicus; below to 

 the superior surface of the liver, from the posterior border 

 to the notch in the anterior border. The free anterior border 

 has between its layers the round ligament. It runs along the 

 longitudinal fissure from the umbilicus to the vena cava. 

 The lateral ligaments are peritoneal folds which extend between 

 the diaphragm and the corresponding borders of the liver, 

 the left being to the left of the esophageal opening. The 

 coronary ligament is a process of peritoneum which is reflected 



