The =right adrenal= lies against the inner part of the anterior pole of
the right kidney. When hardened _in situ_ it is pyramidal in form. Its
inner surface is flattened and is in contact with the right crus of the
diaphragm. The outer surface is convex and lies in the renal impression
of the liver. The ventral surface is grooved for the posterior vena
cava; on this surface a relatively large vein emerges near the apex. The
base is concave and rests obliquely against the anterior pole of the
kidney. The apex fits into the angle between the posterior vena cava and
the dorsal border of the liver.
The =left adrenal= lies on the inner face of the posterior vena cava
just behind the anterior mesenteric artery, and is therefore practically
median in position. It is flattened, and irregularly triangular or
heart-shaped in outline. Its left face is related to the dorsal sac of
the rumen. Its right face is related to the vena cava, and presents a
large emergent vein. The posterior border or base is deeply notched.
[Illustration:
FIG. 386.—LEFT ADRENAL OF OX, VENTRAL VIEW: HARDENED _in situ_.
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 387.—RIGHT ADRENAL OF OX, VENTRAL VIEW: HARDENED _in situ_.
]
It is interesting to note that the left adrenal does not migrate with
the kidney, but retains its primitive position; it lies usually about
two inches (ca. 5 cm.) in front of a transverse plane through the
anterior pole of the left kidney.
The adrenals of the =sheep= are both bean-shaped. The right one lies
along the anterior part of the inner border of the kidney, at the angle
of the junction of the right renal vein and the posterior vena cava. It
is a little over an inch (ca. 3 cm.) long, and about an inch (ca. 12 to
15 mm.) wide. The left adrenal is longer, flatter, and somewhat bent. It
lies across the left renal vein, to which it is attached, but is not in
contact with the kidney.
[Illustration:
FIG. 388.—KIDNEYS OF PIG _in situ_, VENTRAL VIEW.
_C.a._, Hepatic artery; _M.a._, gastro-splenic artery.
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 389.—FRONTAL SECTION OF KIDNEY OF PIG.
]