5i2 ABDOMEN 



recess, likewise intervenes between the upper part of the 

 spleen and the surface of the body. 



The remaining three surfaces are turned towards the cavity 

 of the abdomen, and are closely applied to the viscera which 

 support the organ in its place. These three surfaces, which 

 may be grouped together under the one term "visceral" are 

 separated from each other by three ridges which radiate from 

 a blunt and often inconspicuous prominence which may be 

 termed the intermediate angle, and represents the apex of the 

 tetrahedron. One of these ridges, a salient and prominent 



Anterior 

 angle 



Intermediate angle 



FIG. 197. The Spleen (visceral aspect). 



border (margo intermedius), ascends to the upper end of the 

 spleen and separates an extensive anterior gastric area from 

 a narrower posterior renal area ; a second short ridge or 

 border passes backwards to the posterior angle and intervenes 

 between the renal and the colic surfaces ; whilst the third 

 ridge, less distinctly marked, proceeds forwards to the 

 anterior angle and separates the gastric and the colic surfaces 

 from each other. The term colic surface is applied to a 

 triangular area which is bounded by the two last-named 

 ridges, together with the lower border of the organ. 



The fades gastrica is the most extensive of the three 

 visceral districts. It is deeply concave and moulded upon 



