THE SPLEEN 507 



the vertebral end of the last rib and the first lumbar transverse process; it fits into 

 the interval between the left cms of the diaphragm, the left end of the stomach, 

 and the left kidney. When the stomach is full, the long axis of the spleen corre- 

 sponds to the direction of the last rib. Its parietal surface is convex and lies largely 

 against the left flank. The visceral surface is concave in its length, and is marked 

 by a longitudinal ridge, on which the vessels and nerves are situated, and to which 

 the greater omentum is attached. The spleen is so loosely attached by the omen- 

 tum as to be regarded as an appendage of the latter. 



The dorsal end of the spleen does not vary in position, but the rest of the organ is very 

 variable. When the stomach is full, the part of the visceral surface of the spleen in front of the 

 hilus is usually in apposition with the left part of the greater curvature of the stomach (as in the 

 horse) . It may have a similar position when the stomach is not full, and may be in contact with 

 the latter only to a small extent dorsally. It is not rare to find the spleen lying along the dorsal 

 part of the left flank, with its long axis almost longitudinal; this is liable to be the case when the 

 stomach is empty and contracted. In this condition the spleen shuts the left kidney entirely off 

 from contact with the flank. 



