
188 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT. 
the bile duct. It distributes branches to the right posterior 
lobule and the caudate lobe, and at the base of the liver 
proper divides into right and left rami. The right ramus 
sends a branch, the cystic artery (a. cystica), to the gall 
bladder. 
(c) The portal vein (v. portae), a vessel of large calibre, but 
usually found in a collapsed condition, enters the lesser 
omentum from the dorsal surface of the pyloric antrum. It 
distributes branches to the right posterior lobule and the 
caudate lobe; then passing directly forward to the base of 
the left lobe is distributed to the latter, a right branch being 
given off to the right anterior lobule. 
4. Divide the lesser omentum with the structures described 
above. Divide the coronary and triangular ligaments, cutting 
near the liver so as not to injure the central tendon of the 
diaphragm, which resembles the coronary ligament. Remove the 
liver and examine its dorsal surface for the following: 
(a) The inferior vena cava; it is accommodated in a depression 
of the thickened dorsal portion of the organ. The vessel 
should be opened lengthwise. 
(b) The hepatic veins (vv. hepaticae) open almost directly 
from the substance of the liver into the inferior cava. They 
are typically four in number, there being separate vessels for 
the anterior and posterior parts of the right lobe and for the 
caudate lobe, in addition to a large vessel for the left lobe. 
(c) The renal impression (impressio renalis), an extensive 
excavation of the right posterior lobule for the accommoda- 
tion of the right kidney. 
V. THE INTESTINES. 
The posterior portion of the digestive tube, or that portion 
extending from the pyloric aperture of the stomach to the anal 
aperture, is divisible into two main parts, not wholly distinguishable 
in calibre, namely, the small intestine (intestinum tenue), and the 
large intestine (intestinum crassum). Both are greatly elongated 
and convoluted. In examining them care must be taken to avoid 
injury to the bloodvessels and mesenteries, especially the dorsal 
