THE STOMACH.. 229 



THE STOMACH. 



This important alimentary bag is remarkably small in 

 the horse. Its situation may be described as being imme- 

 diately behind the liver, its principal portion occupying the 

 left hypochondrium ; and a smaller part the epigastrium, 

 with its pyloric (Fig 23 , P) orifice stretched n cross the 

 spine to the right side. It has two surfaces ; one is pos- 

 terior, and the other anterior. It has also two openings 

 (Fig 23 . P.K). The smallest, within the left hypochondriac, 

 is the termination of the oesophagus, and is called the car- 

 diac opening (Fig 23 . K) : the larger, toward the right, 

 is termed the pyloric opening (Fig 23 . P) , and marks the 

 commencement of the duodenum. Its curvatures are, a 

 large one, to which the spleen is attached ; which curvature 

 extends from opening to opening (Fig 23 . from /l to P) ; and 



FIG 23. 



THE STOMACH OF THE HORSE, LAID OPEN. 



CC, Tlie cuticular portion of the lining IC, The cardiac opening to the stomach, 

 mucous membrane. with the ojsophagus. 



W, The villous portion of the mera- P, The pyloric opening from the sto- 

 brane. mach. 



a smaller, formed directly between its openings. The stomach 

 is formed of three general investing coats. The first or 

 outer coat is elastic, and of much strength, being formed of 

 a reflection of peritoneum. The second, or middle coat, is 

 composed of white muscular tibre, which exists in two 

 distinct and separate layers. The longitudinal and most 



