246 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



nearly the same relative situation in regard to those viscera whose 

 motions, like its own, are confined — the stomach, the liver, and 

 the kidney. 



The jejunum and ileum (two intestines that do not es- 

 sentially differ from each other, except that the latter is one- 

 fifth longer than the former) constitute together numerous con- 

 volutions, which are lodged principally in the umbilical region, 

 where they are encircled and in part concealed by the colon. 

 They are but loosely connected to the spine by peritoneum ; so 

 that (unlike the duodenum whose attachments are so short) 

 they can move in various directions and to a considerable extent : 

 a circumstance, of course, that will materially affect their rela- 

 tive situation. 



The ileum, towards the right side of the cavity, terminates 

 in a part of the large intestines, which, from its continuity with 

 the colon, to which and to the ccecum it appears to give origin, 

 has been denominated the ccecum caput coli, or blind head of 

 the colon. From this part proceeds downward the body of the 

 ca'',cuM, and this accounts for its apex protruding in the manner 

 already described, amid the convolutions of the colon. 



The colon, taking its origin from the same part as the 

 ccecum, at first passes downward, and encircles the body of the 

 ccecum, running both before and behind that gut: next, it re- 

 flects upon itself, and makes a second turn like the first; so that 

 this part, which may be called its great arch, is double. That 

 portion of the second flexure of the intestine which forms the 

 upper and anterior part of the arch, and which fills up the bot- 

 tom of the space between the cartilages of the false ribs, is of 

 very considerable volume; in its course, however, to the left 

 side of the spine, it becomes again contracted, and is there 

 attached to the spleen, with which it now runs in contact. 

 Under the left kidney it makes a sudden curve backward, and 

 becomes reflected upon itself somewhat like the letter S : from 

 which peculiarity of figure this part is called the sigmoid flexure 

 of the colon, ft is worthy of remark here, that, although the 

 colon and ccecum are intestines that possess considerable motion, 

 they are so united that they cannot alter their places materially 

 in regard to each other : it may be added also, that they will in- 

 variably occupy the lowermost parts of the abdominal cavity. 



Rectum. — As soon as the colon has reached the basis of the 

 sacrum, it ends, and the intestine assumes the name of rectum : 

 the remaining portion of gut, however, though so called, is not 

 perfectly straight, but follows the bend of that bone. It termi- 

 nates by an enlarged extremity in the anus. 



The omentum (the intestines being drawn to one side) is 



