DISSECTION OP THE ABDOMEN. 301 



and where the liver and diaphragm are united, it passes from the former 

 to the latter, on which it descends to the inferior wall of the abdomen. 

 Along this it passes until it enters the pelvis, where it becomes con- 

 tinuous with the same layer already followed backwards along the roof 

 of the abdomen. In the male it is to be observed that the parietal 

 peritoneum of the abdominal floor passes into the inguinal canal, and 

 forms the tunica vaginalis of the testicle, the sac of which is a simple 

 diverticulum of the great peritoneal sac. Returning again to the 

 omentum, it will be noticed that its superficial layer, towards the left 

 side, in passing forwards to gain the convex curvature of the stomach, 

 encounters the spleen. Passing round that organ, it gives to it a 

 visceral covering, and then continues its course to the stomach. The 

 portion of omentum between the spleen and the left sac of the stomach 

 is termed the gastro-splenic omentum. 



Now make a transverse opening about the centre of the great omen- 

 tum, and introduce the hand through the opening. The hand is now in 

 what is termed the cavity of Winslow, and the deep layer of the omen- 

 tum is exposed. When this layer is traced forwards, it is seen to reach 

 the convex curvature of the stomach, where, separating from the super- 

 ficial layer, it passes over the posterior surface of tlie stomach, and 

 initial dilatation of the duodenum. From these, again, it passes as the 

 posterior layer of the gastro-liepatic omentum, and reaches the liver at 

 the portal fissure. There it separates from the other layer of the gastro- 

 hepatio omentum, and ascends on the liver. It turns round the 

 superior edge of the gland, and passes from its anterior face to the dia- 

 phragm, on which it ascends to the spine. The deep layer of the omen- 

 tum is now to be followed in the backward direction. It is seen to 

 reach the terminal part of the double colon, and the initial part of the 

 single colon ; and, separating there from the superficial layer, it passes 

 over the anterior aspect of these portions of intestine, and is reilected 

 forwards on the under surface of the pancreas. It turns round the 

 anterior edge of that gland, covers for a little distance its upper face, 

 and then passes on to the spine, where it meets the same layer advanc- 

 ing in the opposite direction. It is thus seen that the deep layer of the 

 omentum, when traced in the antero-pbsterior direction, forms a con- 

 tinuous layer ; and at first sight it does not appear to be continuous 

 with the remainder of the peritoneum. As already stated, however, the 

 peritoneum forms a single sac, and the before-mentioned layer is con- 

 tinuous with the remainder of the serous membrane at a narrow opening 

 termed the foramen of Winslow. To find this opening, pass the dorsal 

 aspect of the left forefinger along the posterior surface of the lobulus 

 caudatus of the liver, close to the spine ; and insinuate the point of the 

 finger onwards towards the left (of the subject). At the same time pass 

 the right hand up to the spine in the cavity of Winslow, and insinuate the 



