988 THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION 



THE SPLEEX 



Position. — Tho spleen— ono of the ductless glands — is situated for the most 

 part in the left hypochondriac region (tigs. 577, 591). It is deeply placed betAveen 

 the fundus of tlie stomach and the diaphragm, and in the line of the axilla it 

 extends between the eighth and eleventh ril)S. It is covered Ijy the ninth, tenth, 

 and eleventh ribs (lig. 583), and is separated from them by the diaphragm, and to 

 a smaller extent by the lung. Its upper end reaches to the level of the ninth 

 tlioracic spine, and its loAver end to the level of the first lumbar spine. Its inner 

 extremity is Avithin tAVO inches of the median plane of the body, and its outer 

 boundary is posterior to the mid-axillary line. A line draAA'n from the left sterno- 

 clavicular joint to the tip of the eleventh left rib bounds the anterior margin of the 

 spleen. 



It is bluisli-red in colour, is soft, and easily lacerated. 



Its shape varies, and depends much upon the condition in Avhich it is exam- 

 ined. If soft, and as usuallv found after removal from the bodv, it can onlv l)e 



Fig. 588. — Outer Aspect of the Spleex. 



ANTERIOR BORDER. 





said to have tAvo surfaces, an outer convex and an inner concave; but if examined 

 after it has been hardened in situ, after the manner of Professor His, it is seen to be 

 of a much more precise shape, and to present three surfaces (fig. 590). 



VicAved from the outside, it presents a form Avhich is irregularly oval, Avidei- 

 above tlian Ix'loAV, Avith a bulging of the anterior border (fig. 588). The three 

 surfaces are the external, anterior, and inner. The external or posterior surface 

 is the largest. It is regularly convex, and is directed outAvards and baclcAvards and 

 somcAA'hat upwards (ligs. 588, 590). It lies against the commencement of the arch 

 of the diaphragm. It is covered l)y peritoneum. This surface is named by Cuii- 

 ningliam the })hrenic surface. It is separated Ity the peritoneum and diaphragm, 

 and to some part of its extent by the pleura and lung from the eighth, ninth, tenth, 

 and eleventh ribs. VicAved from the inside, the tAVO other surfaces are seen to be 

 divided by a distinct vertically directed ridge (fig. 590). The anterior of the tAVO 

 looks forAvards, iuAvards, and a little doAVUAvards. It is concave from above doAvn- 

 Avards, and from side to side. It is a good deal tlie larger of the tw^o, and is semi- 

 lunar in shape (fig. 589). It is in contact Avith tlu- great cul-de-sac of th(> stomach, 

 Avith the tip of the pancreas, and the extreme ])oint of the splenic fiexure of the 

 colon (fig. 586). This surfac(> is named by Cunningham the gastric surface. Near 

 the posterior l)order of this surface and bounded I)y the ridge is seen the hilum of 

 the spleen, a de})ressi()n running vertically fi'om above doAVUAvards. It is here that 



