346 SURGICAL APPLIED ANATOMY, tchap.xvn. 



The ascending and the descending colon are placed 

 vertically. The average length of the ascending 

 colon in the adult (as measured from the tip of the 

 caecum to the hepatic flexure) is 8 inch es.*i The average 

 length of the descending colon (from the splenic bend 

 to the commencement of the sigmoid flexure) is Si- 

 inches. The descending colon is very little liable to 

 variation. In cases of non-descent of the caecum the 

 ascending colon may be absent (page 349). I have 

 pointed out that in fifty-two per cent, of adult 

 bodies there is neither an ascending nor a descending 

 meso-colon, and that a meso-colon may be expected on 

 the left side in thirty-six per cent, of all cases, and on 

 the right side in twenty-six per cent. These points 

 are of importance in connection with lumbar colotomy. 

 The breadth of the meso-colon, when it exists, varies 

 from one to three inches. The line of attachment of 

 the left meso-colon is usually along the outer border of 

 the kidney, and is vertical. That of the right meso- 

 colon is, as a rule, less vertical, runs along the inner 

 border of the kidney, and crosses its lower end ob- 

 liquely from right to left. 



The transverse colon has an average measurement 

 of twenty inches. It is not quitejiorizontal, since the 

 splenic flexure is on a higher level than the hepatic 

 flexure, as well- as posterior to it. Faecal masses 

 lodged in the transverse colon have given rise to many 

 errors in diagnosis. In some instances this part of the 

 colon is displaced towards the pelvis, so that V or 

 U-shaped bends are produced. In such cases the 

 point of the V or U may reach the symphysis pubis, 

 while the two colic flexures occupy their proper situa- 

 tions. These deviations are described in detail in my 

 work on Intestinal Obstruction. 



The right-hand part of the transverse colon is in 

 intimate relation with the gall bladder, and is commonly 

 found to be bile- stained after death. Jn some cases 



