THE SPLEEN
The bright red, elongated, and straplike spleen is oriented more or less vertically under the protection of the
more caudal ribs on the left side (Figure 34-4/6). It follows the greater curvature of the stomach to which it is loosely attached by a gastrosplenic ligament that is sufficiently generous to make splenic torsion a relatively frequent mishap.
Its parietal surface is in contact with the diaphragm. Its visceral surface is divided into two narrow strips by a long hilus: the cranial strip is related to the stomach, the caudal one to the intestines. The dorsal extremity extends into the space between the stomach, left kidney, and pancreas, but it is usually
Figure 34-1 The mammary glands of the sow extend from the pectoral to the inguinal region.
Figure 34-2 Inguinal canal of the male made visible on the interior surface of the caudal abdominal wall; semischematic, cranial view. 1, Pelvic symphysis; 2, prepubic tendon; 3, caudal border of external oblique aponeurosis (“inguinal ligament”); 4, external iliac artery; 5, femoral artery; 6, deep femoral artery; 7, lateral border of rectus tendon; 8, external pudendal artery; 9, caudal epigastric artery; 10, rectus abdominis; 10', rectus tendon; 11, muscular part of internal abdominal oblique; 11', aponeurotic part of internal abdominal oblique; 12, caudal free border of internal abdominal oblique; 13, cremaster; 14, tunica vaginalis and spermatic cord; 15, muscular part of external abdominal oblique; 15', aponeurotic part of external abdominal oblique; 16, superficial inguinal ring; 17, deep inguinal ring (arrows); 18, linea alba.
Figure 34-3 A, Gubernacula in a freemartin piglet. B, Exposed.
Figure 34-4 Stomach partially opened, caudoventral view, semischematic.
1, Fundus; 2, diverticulum; 3, esophagus; 4, nonglandular mucosa; 5, lesser curvature; 6, cardiac gland region; 7, region of proper gastric glands; 8, approximate position of median plane; 9, pyloric gland region; 10, torus pyloricus; 11, duodenum.
Figure 34-5 The stomach laid open (cardia to the right). 1, Nonglandular region; 2a, region with cardiac glands; 2b, region with proper gastric glands; 2c, region with pyloric glands.
prevented from making direct contact with these organs by the interposition of fat. The ventral extremity may emerge below the left costal arch and, exceptionally, may even cross the abdomen to the right side; although its position is determined by the degree of fullness of the stomach, it never wholly leaves the protection of the ribs. Its sectioned surface is patterned by the presence of very prominent splenic corpuscles.