THE SPLEEN 403 



The Spleen. The spleen lies mainly in the left hypo- 

 chondriac region, in contact with the left cupola of the 

 diaphragm. Under normal conditions it is exceedingly 

 pliable, and its shape is moulded according to the pressure 

 exerted by the stomach and the left (splenic) flexure of the 



FIG. 143. The Spleen and the Left Kidney and Ureteroutlined on 

 the Dorsal Aspect of the Body. The lower border of the left lung 

 and the lower limit of the left pleural sac are also shown. 



colon, which wedge it against the diaphragm and the left 

 kidney. With the exception of a small strip at the hilum, it is 

 entirely covered by the peritoneum of the greater sac, and it 

 is attached to the fundus of the stomach and the anterior 

 surface of the left kidney by the gastro-splenic and the lieno- 

 renal ligaments, respectively (Fig. 144). 



The diaphragmatic surface of the spleen is gently convex, 



