982 THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION 



intervention of the round li^anient, the two layers reflected on to this structure 

 l)eing known as tlie suspensory lijzanient. At the posterior border of the superior 

 surface it leaves the liver and forms the u])per layer of the coronary ligament. 



The posterior layer of the gastro-hei)atic omentum passes backwards, covers a 

 portion of the posterior surface of the liver, and leaves uncovered that part of the 

 right lobe (except the extreme right) which takes part in this surface. It is finally 

 retlected to form the inferior layer of the coronary ligament. 



The ]iarts of the liver uncovered by i)eritoneum are: the transverse fissure, the 

 fossa of the gall l)ladder, and that portion of the posterior surface made up l)y the 

 right lobe, and to which allusion has already lieen made. 



Underneath the peritoneal investment of the liver is a thin fibro-elastic mem- 

 brane which is intimately adherent to the peritoneum, and is continuous over the 

 liver where the peritoneum is deficient. At the transverse fissure this filjrous layer 

 invests the hepatic vessels, forming a special sheath which follows the vessels as 

 they enter the liver: this structure receives the name of Glisson's capsule. 



Above. 

 Diaphragm and anterior M-all of abdomen. 



Behind. 



Tenth and eleventh thoracic 

 vertebrae ; crura of dia- 

 phragm ; lower end of GENERAL 

 oesophagus ; right supra- EELATIONS 

 renal capsule ; great ves- qF THE LIVER 

 sels. 



Below 



Cardiac end of stomach ; hepatic flexure of colon ; right kidney ; first and second portions 



of duodenum. 



Ligaments of the liver. — "With the exception of the round ligament, the liga- 

 ments are formed by the peritoneum, and (with the same exception) are all 

 attached to the diaphragm. The reflexion of the two layers of peritoneum from 

 the posterior surface of the liver to the dia^jhragm, as just descril^ed, forms the 

 coronary ligaments, the extremities, or lateral continuations, being called the 

 right and left lateral ligaments. The left lateral ligament is the longer, and is 

 attached to the diaphragm in front of the oesophagus. The right is attached to the 

 back part of the diapliragm. 



The broad ligament (falciform or suspensory ligament) is also continuous 

 behind with the coronary ligament; it is formed by the adjacent surfaces of the 

 two portions of peritoneum covering the superior surface; it extends from the 

 umbilicus where is the apex of the falx. The upper rounded border is connected 

 with the anterior abdominal Avail and diaphragm. The free or anterior border 

 contains the round ligament; the lower or attached border extends froni before 

 backwards on tlie up])er surface of the liver. 



Tlie round ligament is a fibrous cord (the remains of the umbilical vein), 

 extending on tlie free l)oi(ler of the broad ligament from the longitudinal fissure to 

 theumliilicus. 



Blood-vessels, — The liver receives its arterial sujjplyof blood from the hepatic 

 artery, a branch of the ca?liac axis, which passes up betw^een the two layers of the 

 lesser omentum, and, dividing into two branches, one for each lobe, enters the liver 

 at the transverse fissure. The right branch gives off a branch to the gall bladder. 

 The liver receives a nnich larger supply of blood from the portal rein, which 

 conve3-s to the liver ])lood from tlie stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen. It 

 enters the transverse fissure, and there divides into two branches. Below this 

 fissure the hepatic artery lies to the left, the bile duct to the right, and the portal 

 vein behind and between the two (fig. 5H4). These three structures ascend to the 

 liver between the layers of the gastro-hepatic omentum in front of the foramen of 



