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 
aridge; it corresponds to the extensive contact of the diaphragmatic flexure and 
right dorsal part of the colon. (5) A cecal impression (Impressio czecalis) may 
be found dorsal to the preceding; it corresponds to the anterior part of the base of 
the ercum.! 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 kidney (Impressio renalis); (3) a notch, which is the 
Right lateral ligament 
— Posterior vena cava 
(Esophageal 
notch Left lateral ligament 
Coronary 
ligament 
Hepatic 
veins 
Falciform ligament 
Round — 
ligament 
Fie. 372.—Liver or Youne Horse, HarpeNeD in situ; PARtETAL SURFACE. 
dorsal end of the fossa venz cave; (4) the deep esophageal notch (Impressio cesoph- 
agea), which is occupied partly by the end of the cesophagus, but mainly by the 
thick margin of the hiatus cesophageus; (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 (Incisure 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. 
1 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 cecal impression may not be evident if, as often happens in 
old horses, the right lobe of the liver is much atrophied. 
