Page:Structure and functions of the body; a hand-book of anatomy and physiology for nurses and others desiring a practical knowledge of the subject (IA structurefunctio00fiskrich).pdf/155

 The Liver.—Below the diaphragm on the right and extending across above the stomach, resting in a way upon the transverse colon and the small intestine, is the liver, the largest gland in the body. It is dark reddish-brown in color and is larger in proportion in the child than in the adult. The upper surface is convex and lies in contact with the diaphragm, while the lower surface is concave to fit over the organs beneath. With a full breath it comes downward and forward, with the edge against the abdominal wall, and can be easily felt. Numerous strong ligaments, including the suspensory ligament from the diaphragm, hold it in place, and it is more firmly fixed than any other of the abdominal organs, probably on account of its large size. It is divided by fissures into five lobes, of which the most important are the right and left, the right one being the largest and containing the gall-bladder in one of its fissures.

—The liver, seen from below. 1, Inferior vena cava; 2, gall-bladder. (Morrow.)

The liver tissue contains a large number of cells collected