506 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



beyond the middle of the loop ; if the tube is introduced 

 still further the bowel is carried on in front of it, and if too 

 much force is used the bowel may be perforated, as has 

 been done, and death follows. 



The Spleen. Fig. 105. 



The spleen is an oval gland, six by four by one and one- 

 half inches, which lies behind the fundus of the stomach. 

 Its long axis is parallel with the tenth rib, its upper border 

 with the upper edge of the ninth rib, and its lower border 

 with the lower edge of the eleventh rib. 



Its inner end is two inches from the left of the middle 

 line behind, and its outer end at the mid-axillary line. 

 It is covered by peritoneum except at the hilum where the 

 vessels and nerves are situated. 



The spleen is developed in the mesogaster. See page 

 467. The portion of the primary mesogaster between the 

 stomach and spleen is now called the gastrosplenic omen- 

 tum, and the portion of the mesogaster extending between 

 the spleen and diaphragm is now called the phrenosplenic 

 ligament. Above, the latter process is continuous with the 

 gastrophrenic ligament, and below, the former passes into 

 the left portion of the greater omentum. 



The splenic artery, vein, lymphatics, and nerves enter or 

 leave the spleen at the hilum of the spleen. 



Relations. In front, stomach and splenic flexure of the 

 colon. To the outside, the diaphragm, inclusive of the 

 ninth, tenth, and eleventh ribs. To the inside, the stomach, 

 pancreas, left kidney. Below the spleen rests upon the 

 costocolic ligament, and has the splenic flexure of the colon 

 below and in front. 



The blood supply for the spleen comes from the splenic 

 branch of the cceliac axis ; the splenic vein passes to unite 



