THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



61 



This causes folds of the peritoneum to connect the organs with the 

 wall or with each other. The connecting folds are termed omenta, 

 mesenteries, and ligaments. They contain fat in varying quanti- 

 ties, depending upon the condition of the animal, and furnish a 



Fig. 11. ^Diagrammatic cross-section of abdomen to show arrangement 

 of peritoneum when reduced to its simplest form. The external black line 

 represents the body wall: 1, Organ (e. g., kidney) in contact with wall; 2, 

 organ (e. g., small intestine) at a distance from wall; 3, parietal peritoneum; 

 4, visceral peritoneum; 5, mesentery; 6, peritoneal cavity. (Sisson, Anatomy 

 of Domestic Animals.) 



path for the vessels and nerves of the viscera. The principal 

 mesenteric folds are the great omentum, the large lace-like mem- 

 brane behind the stomach, and the great mesentery, which sus- 

 pends the small intestine from the roof of the abdominal cavity. 



THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION 



The organs of digestion may be conveniently grouped^ into- 



(A) Alimentary Organs: 



1. Mouth. 



2. Pharsmx. 



3. Esophagus. 



4. Stomach. 



5. Small intestine. 



6. Large intestine. 



(B) Accessory Organs: 



1. Tongue. 



2. Teeth. 



3. Salivary glands. 



4. Liver. 



5. Pancreas. 



6. Intestinal glands. 



' These groups do not include all the structures usually described and 

 recognized as separate organs. Structures not included will be taken up in 

 their proper places when each of the above organs is described. 



