Fig. 125. Position of Abdominal Viscera from behind. 



Between the level of the 9th and nth ribs on the left side is situated the 

 Spleen which lies in relation wath the Diaphragm above, and the left kidney below 

 (cf. Figs. 126 and 136). 



The Kidneys lie opposite the 12th Dorsal and the 1st and 2nd Lumbar 

 Vertebrae and in front of the 12th rib, on the left side also in front of the nth 

 rib. The right kidney, due to the size of the I^iver, is mostly found at a lower 

 level. Sometimes both kidneys are at the same level, but rarely is the right 

 higher. P)Oth kidneys are occasionally .situated at a considerablv lower level 

 without any evidence of undue mobility. A horseshoe-shaped kidne}-, i. e. when 

 the lower ends of the two \-iscera are joined in front of the Vertebral Column, 

 is no great rarity. (Cf. Fig. 127.) 



The descending colon lies to the outer side of the left Kidney whereas 

 the ascending colon with its Mesocolon lies in front of the right kidney with the 

 duodenum above (for further details, cf. Fig. 135). 



The Pancreas — in front of the 1st Lumbar Vertebra — extends to the left 

 as far as the Kidney and Spleen ; its upper part may touch the Suprarenal Gland. 

 In the figure it is visible on either side of the Vertebral Column (yellow^ the 

 intermediate part beiiig indicated by dotted lines. Its head is almost completely 

 encircled by the Duodenum; into the Vertical portion of the Duodenum which 

 is closely applied to the posterior abdominal wall, the Duct of the Pancreas (Duct 

 of WlRSUNG) which is usuall}- joined by an accessory Du't (Duct of Santorini) 

 (cf. I""ig. 130, text), and the Common Bile Duct open. 



These relations are shewn in the figure, which also depicts the left ureter 

 coming from the left kidney (cf. Figs. 120, 129 and 133). 



The ascending Colon is seen on the right, the descending on the left (next 

 in continuity the Sigmoid Flexure) between the Costal Arch and the Crest of 

 the Ilium. 



The relations of the Peritoneum to the Viscera are described in Fig. 136. 



The last portion of the gut shews the Ampulla of the Rectum against 

 which the Coccyx lies. Below the tip of that bone, the Rectum passes backward 

 (Perineal Curve) and opens in the slit-like laterally compressed Anus. 



