THE LIVER 



435 



cave area which is the surface of contact with the stomach. (3) Leading from this 

 to the right of the portal fissure and dorsally is the duodenal impression (Impressio 

 duodenalis). (4) The colic impression (Impressio colica) is situated ventrally and 

 to the right of the gastric and duodenal impressions, from which it is separated by 

 a ridge; it corresponds to the extensive contact of the diaphragmatic flexure and 

 right dorsal part of the colon. (5) A caecal impression (Impressio caecalis) may 

 be found dorsal to the preceding ; it corresponds to the anterior part of the base of 

 the caecum. -"^ Coils of the small intestine may also lie on this surface, and the apex 

 of the spleen may reach to it when the stomach is empty. 



The dorsal border (Margo dorsalis s. obtusus) is thick for the most part. It 

 presents from right to left: (1) The attachment of the right lateral ligament; (2) 

 a depression for the right kidnej^ (Impressio renalis); (3) a notch, which is the 



Right lateral ligament 



Coronary 

 ligament 



Posterior vena cava 



(Esophageal , , , 



* notch ^'y ' lateral ligament 



lobe 



Falciform ligament 



Round 

 ligament 



Fig. 372. — Liver of Young Hobse, Hardened in situ; Parietal Surface. 



dorsal end of the fossa vense cavse; (4) the deep oesophageal notch (Impressio oesoph- 

 agea), which is occupied partly by the end of the oesophagus, but mainly by the 

 thick margin of the hiatus oesophageus ; (5) the attachment of the left lateral liga- 

 ment. 



The ventral border (Margo ventralis) is thin, and is marked by two deep 

 interlobar fissures or incisures (Incisurae interlobares), which partially divide the 

 organ into three principal lobes— right, middle, and left. The right lobe is the 

 largest, except in old subjects, in which it is frequently much atrophied. The 

 middle lobe is the smallest. It is marked by several small fissures and by the 

 umbilical fissure (Incisura umbilicalis) ; the latter contains the umbilical vein in 

 the foetus, which is transformed into the round ligament after birth. 



'These impressions are not evident on the soft organ. In hardened material they are 

 clearly mapped out, although, of course, variable in size, in conformity with the degree of fulness 

 of the various hollow viscera. The caecal impression may not be evident if, as often happens m 

 old horses, the right lobe of the hver is much atrophied. 



