318 



SPLANCHNOLOGY. 



In solipedes, also in the elephant and hyrax, the secretion of 

 bile, although more' active during digestion, is constant, there 

 being no reservoir for it. Most animals are, however, provided 

 with a gall bladder, lodged in a fissure on the posterior surface 

 of the gland, in which the bile accumulates during the period of 

 abstinence, and from which it passes into the intestinal canal 

 when digestion commences. 



PANCREAS. 



The pancreas is a compound conglomerate gland, and resembles 

 the salivary glands in structure and physical properties, but it is 

 looser and softer, and of a reddish-cream colour. It is situated 



behind the stomach and liver, and 

 in front of the kidneys, related with 

 the posterior aorta, posterior vena 

 cava, and pillars of the diaphragm, 

 to which it is slightly attached by 

 connective tissue. 



Its shape in the horse is very 

 irregular and variable, but it is 

 slightly curved upon itself, flattened 

 from above downwards, and presents 

 a right, a left, and an inferior branch. 

 An oblique opening, the ring of the 

 pancreas, passes from the inferior 

 to the superior surface, through 

 which the vena porta runs, in its 

 passage to the liver, and imme- 

 diately above, on the superior border, 

 is a notch for the great mesenteric 

 artery. The surfaces are flat and 

 lobulated ; the superior one is 

 partly covered by peritoneum and attached by cellular tissue to 

 the aorta, cceliac axis, posterior cava, and right kidney. The 

 inferior surface is attached to the base of the caseum and terminal 

 portion of the double colon by cellular tissue. The anterior 

 border contacts the duodenum and left cul-de-sac of the stomach. 

 The posterior is convex ; about the centre is a groove for the 

 vena porta, before it enters the pancreatic ring. 



The duct of this gland, known as the duct of Wirsung, lies 



FIG. 107. 



Anterior view of the pancreas, a, Left 

 branch ; 6, Right branch ; c, Inferior 

 branch ; d, Duct of Wirsung ; e, Ductus 

 paucreaticus minor ; /, Portal vein cut 

 across ; g, Notch for the great mesenteric 

 artery. 



