278 ABDOMEN 



a solid pliant organ, which occupies a large part of the 

 epigastric and right hypochondriac regions, and smaller 

 portions of the left hypochondriac and right lumbar regions. 

 It is almost entirely surrounded by the peritoneal lining of 

 the abdomen. The portions which can be investigated, 

 at the present stage of dissection, are smooth to the touch, 

 and they present a smooth and glistening appearance. The 

 dissector should pass his hand over the surfaces of the organ 



Coronary ligament 



"Ligamentum teres 

 -Gall-bladder 



FIG. 129. Anterior Surface of the Liver. 



and he will find that it has the form of an irregular four- 

 sided pyramid. The base of the pyramid lies to the right, 

 where it is in contact with the diaphragm, from the level of 

 the seventh to the level of the eleventh rib in the mid- 

 axillary line. The edge-like apex lies to the left, at the level 

 of the left sixth rib in or near the left lateral plane. The 

 anterior and superior surfaces are smooth and convex. The 

 anterior is attached to the anterior abdominal wall, and the 

 superior to the under surface of the diaphragm, by a fold 

 of peritoneum, called the falciform ligament, which separates 

 each surface into a smaller left and a larger right portion, corre- 

 sponding to the left and right lobes of the liver respectively. 



