which is situated just below in the abdomen. The abdomen contains the stomach, a large membranous bag capable of holding about three pints, which is situated on the left side of the body and crosses it towards the right; the liver, which weighs from fifty to sixty ounces, and lies on the right side of the body, with its upper surface touching the diaphragm, while its lower surface touches the intestines and right kidney; the spleen; the pancreas, or sweetbread; the continuation of the great blood vessels; the two kidneys; the bladder, &c.; and the intestines or bowels—a muscular tube of varying diameter, disposed in close coils, the bulk of which may be imagined from the fact that, if they were drawn out, the total length of the tube would be about six times that of the body from which it was taken.3[1]
Most of these organs in the natural state can undergo a considerable amount of movement: the lungs expand widely, the cavity of the chest enlarging at the same time in all directions by the bulging out of the ribs and pressing down of the diaphragm. This communicates a movement to the abdominal organs, as may easily be felt if the hand is placed on the abdomen while two or three deep breaths are taken. The stomach during digestion expands and churns the food about; and considerable movement takes place among the
- ↑ 3 Plate 3 shows the natural position of some of these organs; the intestines, &c., are not shown, but should occupy the lower part of the figure.
