THE SPLEEN

               
     

The Spleen belongs to that class of bodies which are known as ductless [llands. It is probably related to the blood-vascular system, but in consequence of its anatomical relationship to the stomach and its physiological relationship to the liver it is convenient to describe it in this place. It is situated principally in the left hypochondriac region, its Upper and inner extremity extending into the epigas­tric region; lying between the fundus of the stomach and the Diaphragm. It is the largest of the ductless glands, and measures some five or six inches in length. It is of an oblong, flattened form, soft, of very brittle consistence, highly vascular, and of a dark purplish color. The upper end is directed inward, toward the vertebral column, where it lies on a level with the eleventh dorsal vertebra. The lower end, sometimes termed the basal surface, is flat, triangular in shape, and rests Upon the splenic flexure of the colon and the phreno-colic ligament, and is genernlly in contact with the tail of the pancreas. The anterior border is free, sharp, and thin, and is often notched, especially below. It separates the phrenic from the gastric surface. The posterior border is more rounded and blunter than the anterior. It separates the renal por­tion of the internal surface from the phrenic surface. It corresponds. to the lower border of the eleventh rib and lies between the Diaphragm and left k1dney. The internal border is the name sometimes given to the ridge which separates the renal and gastric portions of the internal surface.