348 DISSECTION OF THE RABBIT. 



an inch behind the diaphragm. It runs in the 

 mesentery, and divides into the hepatic artery 

 supplying the liver, and the lieno-gastrio artery 

 supplying the stomach and spleen. 



b. The anterior mesenteric artery is a large median 

 vessel, arising from the aorta about three-quarters 

 of an inch behind the coeliac artery. It divides 

 into numerous branches, which run in the mesen- 

 tery to supply the duodenum, pancreas, small 

 intestine, caecum, and colon. 

 • c. The renal arteries are paired, the right one arising 

 just behind the anterior mesenteric artery, and 

 the left a little further back. Each gives a small 

 branch to the muscles of the back, and then runs 

 outwards to the kidney. 



d. The spermatic arteries, in the male, are a pair of 



very small arteries, which arise about a couple of 

 inches behind the left renal artery, and run back- 

 wards and outwards along the dorsal surface of the 

 abdomen to enter the epididymes at their anterior 

 ends. 



The ovarian arteries, in the female, arise in 

 the same position as the spermatic, but run out- 

 wards and slightly forwards to the ovaries. 



e. The posterior mesenteric artery is a median vessel, 



arising from the aorta about an inch in front of 

 its division into the common iliacs. It supplies 

 the hinder part of the rectum. 



f. The lumbar arteries are small median arteries, 



arising from the dorsal surface of the aorta, and 

 dividing into right and left branches supplying 

 the body walls. 



g. The median sacral artery is a small vessel arising 



from the dorsal surface of the aort^, shortly before 

 its division, and running along the ventral surface 

 of the sacrum to the tail. It is to be regarded as 

 the posterior continuation of the aorta. 



