224 ZOOTOMY. 



of the liver, near its dorsal margin, and passing backwards, 

 in the duodeno-hepatic omentum, to open into the distal 

 limb of the duodenum, at about the junction of its middle 

 and distal (anterior) thirds. 



193. The left bile duct, a much wider and shorter tube 

 than the right; also arising from the right lobe of the liver, 

 and passing backwards to open into the proximal limb of 

 the duodenum, about half an inch beyond the pylorus 

 (see §§ 204, 207). 



194. The portal vein, a large vessel, usually gorged 

 with blood, lying in the duodeno-hepatic omentum between 

 the two bile ducts j it receives blood from the intestines and 

 spleen, and from the right side of the gizzard, and divides 

 into two branches, one of which enters each lobe of the 

 hver. 



The portal vein is formed by the union of three chief veins : the 

 gastro-duodenal, receiving blood from the right side of the gizzard, the 

 duodenum, and the last loop of the small intestine (§§ 173-176); the 

 superior mesenteric, from the maiu part of the small intestine 

 (jejunum and ileum, § 204) ; and the inferior mesenteric or coccygeo- 

 mesenteric (§ 197), from the posterior portion of the small intestine, 

 the rectum, and the cloaca. ' 



195. The three pancreatic ducts : of these one leaves 

 the right side of the anterior end of the pancreas, and 

 passes forwards and to the right, to enter the intestine 

 a short distance beyond the termination of the distal 

 limb of the duodenum ; the other two usually spring from 

 about the middle of the gland, also from its right border, 

 and pass sHghtly forwards, more or less parallel with one 

 another, to enter the duodenum at about the middle of its 

 distal limb. 



196. The left gastric veins, two small vessels con- 

 tained in the gastro-hepatic omentum, and carrying the 



