306 DISSECTION OF THE RABBIT 



dominal cavity almost to its hinder end : it then 

 turns back on itself, forming a U-shaped loop. In 

 the mesentery connecting the two limbs of the loop 

 are the large duodenal vessels. 



8. The pancreas. 



Turn the dioodenal hop over to the left side without 

 inj%i/ring the mesentery, and spread it out over the other 

 viscera. 



The pancreas is a diffuse fat-like gland of a 

 pinkish colour, scattered in the mesentery of the 

 duodenal loop. It lies mainly around the large 

 vessels of the loop, and is more compact at its 

 anterior end. 



The pancreatic dnct commences in front, and runs 



backwards through the gland, receiving smaller ducts 



from its several lobes : it opens into the inner side 



of the distal limb of the duodenal loop, about three 



inches beyond the bend. 



Open the duodenum, opposite to the entrance of the 



pancreatic du^t ; wash out the contents ; note the aperture 



of the duct, and insert a bristle into it. 



4. The liver is a large solid organ, thick in the middle and 

 thinning towards the edges. Its anterior surface is 

 convex and fits against the diaphragm, to which it is 

 attached by a median vertical fold of peritoneum, 

 the suspensory ligament : its posterior surface is 

 concave, and lies against the stomach. 

 a. The lobes of the liver. 



i. The left central lobe lies against the left half'of 



the diaphragm, 

 ii. The left lateral lobe lies between the left 

 central lobe and the stomach, to the cardiac 

 end of which it is appHed. It is the largest 

 of the lobes, and is partially subdivided, 

 iii. The Spigelian lobe fits into the concave ante- 

 rior border of the stomach, and is much the 

 smallest of the lobes. 



