The organs of the abdominal cavity are the liver, the gall-bladder, the storfiach, the intestines, the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys and the
bladder.
'Uih-Yi v 1
, Jbfi liver lies under the right ribs and extends across to the left of the epigastrium. The liver is a large organ that weighs about 1,5 kg. Every-, body must know that the liver plays a very important role in the vi\k\ activities of the organism. It is the liver thatf §efcretes bile which participates in the digestive process and has a defensive function, i.e. some toxic substances are detoxified in the liver.
The gall-bladder lies beneath the right lobe of the liver. The gallbladder serves as a bile reservoir.
The stomach lies under the left ribs and extends across to the right. It is known that its smaller end situates in the epigastrium. The stomach serves as a container of food, which is partly digested in it. The size and shape of the stomach vary with any amount of food that is consumed and the extent of contraction of its wall. The stomach when it is filled with food is usually compared with a chemical retort. Its capacity is some 1—2 litres.
The intestines («internal» — Latin) occupy chiefly the central portions of the abdominal cavity. From the stomach the food passes in small portions into the small intestine where it undergoes further mechanical and chemical changes. As the contents of the small intestine cannot move back they may freely pass into the large intestine.