The pancreas is an elongated gland lying across the posterior wall of the abdomen, behind the stomach, on a level with the first lumbar vertebra, one end in contact with the spleen, the other with the duodenum. It is about 7 inches long, 2 inches wide, and weighs about 3 ounces.

The spleen is a ductless gland, lying for the most part in the left hypochondrium, but its upper end extends into the epigastric region. It is behind the stomach ; it is parallel with and follows the curve of the ninth, tenth and eleventh ribs, its backward extremity pointing to and not far from the spinal column. Its average size is 5 inches long, 3 and 4 inches broad, and 1.5 inches thick. It weighs about 7 ounces. The spleen is the only organ in which the blood comes in contact with the tissue element, the capillaries are not continuous, and the blood is poured into the interstices of the tissues ; it is collected by branches of the splenic vein. The functions of the spleen are not thoroughly understood ; but it is supposed to have largely to do with the blood corpuscles, both in their formation and destruction.

Relations.—In front, large end of stomach ; behind, left kidney and suprarenal capsules ; below, splenic flexure ; to the right, pancreas.