THE LIVER 121 



(See Fig. 41.) We shall consider the structure and func- 

 tion of these villi more in detail in our study of the absorp- 

 tion of food. (See p. 

 134.) Between the bases 

 of these villi are the 

 openings of tiny glands 

 called the crypts of 

 Lieberkiihn. 



Digestive glands of 



the small intestine. F10.4I — vim on Burface of intestine (nmcli 



The glands which se- "*^ 



Crete the digestive fluids of the small intestine are 

 three in kind. Two of these are large and lie outside 

 of the intestine, being connected with it by means of a 

 duct. The other kinds of glands, (the crypts) are very 

 numerous and embedded in the mucous membrane itself. 

 The two large glands are known as the liver and the pan- 

 creas, and the ducts from these two glands imite outside 

 the intestine and pour their combined secretions into 

 the intestine through a common duct at a point on the 

 duodenum a few inches from its connection with the 

 stomach. The secretions of these two large glands are 

 known as the bile and the pancreatic juice. The relation 

 of these two glands and the ducts is shown in the diagram 

 (see Fig. 42). The secretion of the crypts is called the 

 intestinal juice. 



The liver. — (See Fig. 46 and Ex. XXXII.) This is the 

 largest digestive gland in the body. It is a dark red mass 

 located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity just 

 under the diaphragm, and partly overlapping the stomach. 

 The entire gland is covered with peritoneum, and is divided 

 by a fissure into two unequal lobes. Of these two lobes, 



