172 ANATOMY OF THE ABDOMEN, ETC. 



DISSECTION II. 



VISCERAL CAVITY. 



In opening the abdomen, a thin peritoneal lamina, ex- 

 tending from the umbilicus to the liver, will be seen; this is 

 the broad ligament of the liver ; in the free border of this, is 

 a round cord of considerable size, called the round liga- 

 ment, being the obliterated umbilical vein of foetal life. 

 These should be examined, at this time, as so good an idea 

 of them cannot be obtained after their division. Hernia 

 may occur at the umbilicus, especially during infancy, be- 

 fore the parts have consolidated. Its course is direct, and 

 it has for its coverings the integument, superficial fascia, a 

 prolongation from the tendinous margin of the abdominal 

 opening, the fascia transversalis, and peritoneum. 



The abdomen is now to be opened, by incising longitudinally and 

 transversely, whatever of the anterior parietes remains, and reflecting 

 the flaps thus made. 



The YISCERAL CAVITY being exposed, it will be remarked 

 that the intestinal tube, with its various divisions and con- 

 volutions, occupies, apparently, the whole of the abdomen, 

 the only viscus attracting attention at the first glance being 

 the liver. The intestines will be found partially covered, 

 superficially, with a membranous flap, or apron ; at times 

 this is crumpled up (so to speak), and lies a confused mass, 

 occupying but a small space ; it may, however, be spread 

 out ; it is called the great omentum. Occupying the upper 

 part of the cavity, and in close apposition to the dia- 

 phragm, will be seen the liver; partly covered by the liver, 

 and filling the left side, is the stomach, behind which may 

 be found the spleen. Below the stomach, and stretching 

 across the spine, is the pancreas. From the stomach may 

 be traced the small intestine ; near the union of this with 

 the stomach the surrounding parts will often be found dis- 

 colored by bile which, after death, transudes through the 

 walls of the gall-bladder. The small intestine occupies the 

 central part of the visceral cavity and the pelvis ; by run- 

 ning it through, from its commencement, it will be found 

 that it joins the large intestine, or colon, in the right 

 inguinal region. The large intestine ascends on the right 

 side, covering in the kidney, and is called the ascending 



