234 ZOOTOMY. 



221. The dorsal aorta (d.ao\ a small artery lying in the 

 middle line between the kidneys. 



XXXIV. Carefully dissect away one of the kidneys, bit 

 by bit, taking care not to injure the veins in 

 connection with it : make out : 



222. The renal portal vein (r.p}, passing through the substance of the 

 kidney to join the femoral just external to the point where the latter 

 unites with the renal .vein : during its course through the kidney, the 

 renal portal gives off several small afferent renal veins (a.r.v) to the 

 middle and posterior lobes, the anterior lobe being supplied by similar 

 vessels springing from the anterior face of the femoral vein : the renal 

 portal is joined near the hinder boundary of the kidney by one or two 

 small veins from the sacral region (a. r.v'}. 



223. The femoral artery (/#), given off from the 

 aorta between the anterior ends of the kidneys, and passing 

 almost directly outwards to supply the anterior region of 

 the thigh : it leaves the body cavity ventral to the pelvis, 

 and is accompanied by the femoral nerve ( 293). 



As the femoral artery leaves the body cavity, it sends 

 off a small vessel which passes along the ventral border of 

 the pubis, accompanying the vein already seen ( 219), and 

 a branch of the obturator nerve ( 293). 



224. The sciatic artery (sc.a), given off from the 

 aorta at about the junction of the anterior and middle 

 lobes of the kidney; it passes outwards and backwards 

 through the substance of the kidney, emerges from that 

 organ at the junction between its middle and posterior 

 lobes, leaves the body cavity through the ilio-sciatic foramen 

 ( 104) to reach the thigh, and then passes slightly forwards 

 as well as outwards so as to assume a course parallel to the 

 femoral vein. It is accompanied by the great sciatic 

 nerve ( 294). 



225. The sciatic vein (sc.v\ bringing blood from the 

 posterior part of the leg ; it runs parallel to the proximal 



