Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

CHAP. IIII. The description of the Gate veine and his branches.

I Gaue you (because the order of dissection so required) a briefe compend of the distribution of the Gate veine in the third chapter of the thirdbooke, re∣seruing there the more exact discourse vnto this place, which therefore we will now attend as carefully as we may.

That which they call the Gate veine [Tab. 2.] some thinke is a propaga∣tion from the vmbilicall veine, to which as we sayde it is continued. It issueth out of the hollow part of the liuer, which part or rather the very ingresse of the vessell (betwixt the * 1.1 2. small Eminencies of the liuer) Hippocrates and Galen and the whole family of the Ascle∣ptads doe call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Gate. It is the greatest of all the veines next the hollow veine, and therefore Galen in the twentyeth chapter of his fourth booke de vsu partium calleth it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the great veine. The hollow veine he calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the greatest veine, but commonly he cals it the veine which is at the Gate, because by the roots hereof, that is to say, the Mesaraicke branches the Chylus is suckt away from the stomacke and the guts, and through the trunke hereof as through an open gate is let into the liuer. Where∣upon the Mesuraicks are called manus hepatis, the hand of the liner. The Physitions call it commonly vena portae, the gatevein; the Arabians venam lacteam, or the milky vein, be∣cause it draweth the Chylus which is like vnto milke.

For order sake we will diuide this Gate veine into rootes, branches, and the trunke it self. The roots are small and aboundant, desseminated [tab. 2. ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.] through the substance of the liuer from whence as from a principle of distribution (saith Galen in the fourth chapter of his booke de formatione foetus, and in the third of the seuenth de placit is) and of Radication (saith Hippocrates in his booke de Alimento) they doe arise. These small * 1.2 rootes by degrees grow into greater, and those yet into greater, till all of them about the middle of the liuer on his hollow side neare vnto the backe are vnited, and make one no∣table trunke [Tab. 2. B.] which issueth out of the liuer. These rootes whilest they remaine in the liuer, are ioyned by inoculation into the middle of the rootes of the hollow veine as wee haue shewed in the thirteenth chapter of the third booke and the fourteenth table.

In dogs there are so many bowes of the gate veine as there be lobes of the liuer, eue∣ry one of which is diuided into his owne lobe, and yet all of them meete into one com∣mon trunke. Notwithstanding they may be called Rootes and Branches. Rootes, be∣cause

this veine is sayd to be the sprout of the Liuer, and because they leade blood vnto o∣ther parts. They may also bee called braunches because the mesaraicks (which Galen like∣ning it to a tree, calleth the Rootes) when they haue suckt the Chylus doe send it vnto the Trunke, from whence by these branches it is distributed into the Liuer.

Sometimes from the rootes of the Gate-veine from the very top of the left part of Liuer neare his Ligament, yssueth a braunch which is communicated to the Midriffe, and descending on the backeside is ioyned vnder the Pancreas or Sweete-breade with other braunches which arise out of the trunke of the gate-veine. Sometime also a few bran∣ches arising out of the same place doe attaine vnto the Spleene and are disseminated in∣to his substance.

The trunke [Table 2. B] descending from the Liuer runneth a little obliquely downe∣warde * 1.3 vnder the Gutte called Duodenum, hauing gotten a firme seate aboue the Racke∣bones.

It maketh his distribution betwixt the Stomacke and the Guts as in the fittest place, because it is the middest of the organs of nourishment where it was fit that distribution should be, that the veines might be equally deuided amongst them. For if it had descen∣ded lower it had departed too farre from the Stomacke. If it had ascended higher, first it * 1.4 would haue beene too far from the Guts; and againe, could not haue had so easie accesse vnto the stomacke, which sometimes strutteth with aboundance, and againe falleth when it is empty. From this Trunke therefore diuers propagations are distributed in the lo∣wer belly into the Stomacke, the Guts, the Kell and the Spleene.

The Trunke [Ta. 2. B] before it is deuided parteth with two small braunches from his * 1.5 foreside. The first are called Cysticae Gemellae the Twinne-veines of the Gall [Tab. 2. CC] which yssuing from toward the left side of the trunk are reflected vpward and toward the right side vnto the neck of the bladder of Gall and the body thereof, through which they are distributed in hayrie braunches as are the small vessels through the white of the Eye. The second is called Gastrica dextra [Ta. 2. D] the right stomacke veine. It ariseth much * 1.6 lower then the twins and rather from the right side of the Trunke on which side it passeth onely vnto the backepart of the stomack and the Pylorus or lower mouth thereof, and af∣fordeth them small branches.

Afterward the Trunke inclining to the left hand is deuided into two notable bowes [Ta. 2. E] the vpper or the left, and the lower or the right. The vpper [Ta. 2. F] although it be altogether spent into the Stomacke and the Kell; yet from the vse it is called Spleni∣cus or the Spleene-braunch, because it draweth to it selfe out of the Chylus altered in the * 1.7 Meseraicke veines the thick part of the iuyce before it be gotten to the Liuer, and leadeth it to the Spleene as we haue sayde before in the History of the Spleene, wherefore also it is placed aboue the trunke of the Meseraicks. [Ta. 2. G] The lower bow is called Mesen∣tericus * 1.8 the mesentericall braunch [Ta. 2. G] because almost all of it is diuided into the Me∣senterie.

The Splenicke braunch being supported with the Membrane of the Kell and a glan∣dulous body, runneth ouerthwart to the Spleene, and before it bee consumed thereinto, there proceede braunches out of it, some before some after the deuision. Before the di∣uision some yssue from the vpper part some from the lower. From the vpper part two veines spring.

The first is called Gastrica minor the lesser Stomacke veine, and [Table 2. K] the left is deuided into the gibbous and backepart of the stomacke with a few branches. * 1.9

The second is called Gastrica maior [tab. 2. N] the greate stomacke veine, because it is * 1.10 the largest of all the veines that come vnto the stomacke. It runneth obliquely vnder the Stomack to his vpper orifice or mouth, & is deuided thereinto, sending out of the trunke three boughes; of which, one on either side is conuayed to the Stomacke, [Ta. 2. OO] the middle runneth vpward and compasseth the vpper mouth of the stomacke like a crowne, and maketh that veine which thereuppon they call Coronariam stomachicam the Crowne veine of the stomacke, [tab. 2. Q] which in dogges is very conspicuous. From this veine * 1.11 some small ones are offered vpward vnto the end of the Gullet, some downeward to the Stomacke.

Sometimes also another braunch arising from the other propagation runneth down∣ward, and on the foreside passeth the Pylorus or lower mouth of the stomacke with many Surcles. From the lower part yssue three branches.

The first is called Epiplois dextra [Ta. 2. L] the right Kell veine. It is but a slender ves∣sell, * 1.12 and deriueth his Surcles downeward to the right side of the lower membrane of the Kell, and to the Collicke Gut which is thereto annexed.

The second is called Epiplois postica [Tab. 2. S] the hinder Kell veine. It is larger then the former and is deuided into 2. branches which are very much separated, out of which * 1.13 surcles doe runne downeward to the lower membrane of the Kell, (wherewith the Col∣licke Gut is tyed to the backe as it were with a Mesentery) and to some part also of the Co∣lon it selfe. In Dogges there is no veine from the spleenicke braunch vnto the Collicke Gut.

The third called Pancreae [Table 2. M] are many small and capillary veines which run * 1.14 betwixt the two Kell veines as well aboue as below, and are disseminated into the Sweet∣bread which is called Pancreas from whence they haue their name.

When these branches are produced, the Splenicke [tab. 2. F] Trunke is cleft into an vpper and a lower brance, [ta. 2 T] and these into others.

From the vpper braunch doe arise sometimes three, sometimes more, sometimes one from the top of the branch neare the Spleene which they call Vas breue [Ta. 2. the vp∣per Z] * 1.15 or Vas venosū, the Short or the Venall vessell, which is in some men greater, in some men lesser, and these latter doe easily indure hunger, the former with great difficulty. And hence it is that some men if they bee neuer so little a while without meate, or betweene their refections they fall into a Syncope or swounding; by this braunch also come often∣times blacke vomits.

[Table 2. is the same with Table 3. lib. 3. Folio 100]

These Veines being sustayned with the vpper membrane of the Kell, are inserted in∣to the left side of the bottome of the Stomacke, and sometime higher that they might belch that naturall melancholly bloud which could not bee chaunged into the Aliment of the Spleene, into the bottome of the stomacke sometimes into his mouth (which Ves∣salius witnesseth that he hath seene) to stirre vp the drowsie appetite with his tartnesse, be∣fore the mouth of the stomacke be corrugated for too much want, for that sowre thinges doe prouoke appetite, we are taught by the sharpe Sallets that are vsed in the beginning of our Suppers. Beside the adstriction or binding property of this humour strengthneth the mouth and helpeth the concoction of the body of the stomack. Sometime also from another propagation of this braunch, veines are transmitted to the stomacke, and these tye the stomacke and the Spleene fast together.

From the lower braunch of the Splenicke bough proceede two veines. The first is called Epiplois sinistra or the Left Kell veine [Ta. 2. V] which in one or two surcles is distri∣buted * 1.16 into the left part of the lower membrane of the Omentum or Kell, especially when the hinder Kell veine is narrow, wherefore this veine is not alwayes found.

The second is called Gastro-epiplois sinistra [Ta. 2. X] the left Stomacke and Kell veine. * 1.17 It is a notable braunch, and reflected to the right hand compasseth on that side the bot∣tome of the stomack where the smal branches of this veine are intangled with the slender surcles of the right, and touch either the others extremities. It affordeth also small bran∣ches, but very plentifull to the left side of the vpper membrane of the Omentum.

The remaynder of both braunches being diuersly wouen together, are implanted in great aboundance [Ta. 2. YZ] into the hollow and middle line of the Spleen, and are di∣stributed through his whole body to purge the foeculent iuyce, & to lead it to the spleen, and thus much of the left or vpper branch of the gate-veine.

From the lower and Right branch [Ta. 2. G] which is also the larger, before it be deui∣ded, two veines do yssue.

The first is called Gastro-epiplois dextra [Ta. 2. H] the right stomacke or Kell veine. It yssueth from the side of the braunch before it be deuided into the mesenterical branches. * 1.18 Sometime it ariseth out of the Trunke it selfe, sometimes also but very rarely out of the left braunch, and on the right side watereth the bottome of the stomack both before and behind with many small surcles which insinuate themselues euen into his cauity. It cree∣peth also through the vpper membrane of the Kell, and at the middle of the stomacke it ioyneth his small surcles with the left stomacke and kell veine. [Ta. 2. X] In Dogges some∣time * 1.19 it yssueth from the Gut-veine. Sometime it is wanting and then the left supplyeth the place of both.

The second is called Intestinalis, [Tab. 2, I] or the gut-veyne. It issueth sometimes out of the branch, sometimes out of the trunke at the middle of the Duodenum or the be∣ginning * 1.20 of the Ieiunum, and running directly downeward through their length, it disper∣seth certain small branches as fine as hayres through the vpper Omentum and through the Pancreas.

Afterward the whole branch [Tab. 2, ^c] where it ioyneth with the mesentery, depar∣teth into three mesentericall branches, two on the right hand and two on the left.

The right mesentericall branch is double, [Tab. 26,] and is implanted into the Ieiu∣num, the Illion, the Caecum, and the right part of the Colon on the backe or hollow side, and being diuided into inumerable surcles, as the rootes of a Tree are diuided into slen∣der strings (whereto also Galen compareth these) they make the meseraicke veines [Tab. 2. ^dddd] * 1.21 which run obliquely betwixt the two membranes of the mesentery, and amongst which there are many small glandules placed to serue their passage and determine in the Guts; not into their cauity, for that is compassed about with a crust, but their little mouths do open into the coate of the gut, from whence they sucke the Chylus as the tendrils of a roote sucke the Iuice out of the earth. Wherefore in the guts called Ieiunum and Ileon they are more aboundant, because they contain a greater quantity of Iuice then the great guts doe.

But they were not onely created to leade away this Iuice, but also to attract it and prepare it for the Liuer, after a manner, saith Galen, most like vnto it selfe, because their na∣ture is alike, and they draw their first originall therefrom; wherefore after they haue giuen vnto it the beginning or rude forme of blood, and out of them and from the blood the thicker part is drawne by the Spleene through the splenicke branch, [Tab. 2, F] they lead it vnto the Liuer. For as Porters doe carry the dressed Corne into the Garner or com∣mon Store-house of a Citty where it is prepared for nourishment, so the meseraick veines doe conuey the aliment laboured in the stomacke to the common place of the creatures concoction, that is, vnto the Liuer, not to poure it into his substance there to be changed into blood, but to be reserued and laboured in the rootes of the Gate-veine, which are most what on the inside and hollow part of the Liuer, for vnto these rootes the Liuer gi∣ueth the power of sangufication as we haue saide before in the tenth Chapter of the third booke.

Moreouer, the same meseraicks by which the distribution is made of the Chylus from * 1.22 the guts to the Liuer, do also carry blood from the Liuer to the nourishment of the guts, yet not at the same time, but when they are empty and want nourishment, and if it hap∣pen that both workes concurre together, which Galen yeeldeth to bee so in the ninteenth chapter of his fourth booke de vsu partium, then according to the diuers nature, desire, & strength of the drawing parts, the veynes of the Liuer snatch the Chylus and the guttes blood. For if you make Iron and Strawes in powder together and mingle them, heated Amber will draw away the strawes, and a Load-stone wil draw away the Iron by reason of their diuers natures and diuers desires of attraction.

Now this double attraction could not be performed if the extreame orifices of the veines had values set vnto them as Columbus dreamed, but Archangelus refuteth by many * 1.23 arguments, who saith Columbus was deceiued by that crust which is ingendered of the ex∣crements of the third concoction, and compasseth the guts no otherwise then the Scarfe∣skinne closeth the extremities or ends of the cutany veynes.

Beside, if there were any such values they would hinder the confluence of the humors from the whole body into the guttes, which is made eyther by the want of Nature or of medicine, for saith Galen 3 naturall: facult: the purgations of the whole body are made by the meseraick veynes, especially by the lower of them, and so much of the right mesentericke branch.

The left mesentericke veyne [Tab. 2, ^c] is disseminated into the left and middle part of * 1.24 the mesentery, and attaineth that Region of the collicke gut, [Tab. 2, ^cc] which reacheth from the ••eft side of the stomack euen vnto the right gut.

From this descendeth a notable branch called Haemorrhoidalis interna, [Tab. 2, ^gg] the inward emrod veyne (for the externall proceedeth from the hyppogastricall branch of the hollow veyne) and it runneth by the end of the collicke gut vnder the right gut, [Tab. 2, ^ff] * 1.25 whose extremity (which they call the Fundament) it compasseth about with a fewe small surcles, by which expurgation is made oftentimes in obstructions of the spleene, of

foeculent blood when it is too aboundant, and that in many bodies at certaine and deter∣minate times.

This veyne taketh his originall sometimes from the splenicke branch, from which also the Short or Venall vessell issueth: and thus much concerning the branches of the Gate-veine.

Now the difference betwixt the Gate and the Hollow veynes is, that the Gate-veyne is more lax and soft, the Hollow-veyne faster and harder, because the Gate veyne serues * 1.26 rather from attraction then for expulsion, for by it the spleene and the Liuer draw more then they do expell.

On the contrary, the gate veine serueth rather for expulsion then for attraction, for by it the blood is expelled into the whole body although it is not a little assisted by the at∣traction of the members.

The vse of the gate-veyne is to distribute branches which may eyther serue for nou∣rishment * 1.27 as those that leade blood into the naturall parts destituted and forsaken by the hollow veyne, or for the expurgation of some excrement as the splenicke branch which draweth vnto it selfe out of the trunke of the gate-veyne, before the Chylus attaine to the Liuer, a thicke and foeculent humor yet mingled with much laudable Iuice, and the vas Breue and the Hemorrhoid-veyne. Other branches make for the distribution of the Chylus into the gate of the Liuer, in which also it receiueth an alteration & preparation of blood as the meseraicks and those veynes which we saide attained vnto the stomacke to draw a part of the Chylus euen from thence.

Finally, others perfect the blood as those small veynes disseminated through the flesh of the Liuer, which we called the rootes of the Gate-veyne.

Note moreouer that all the gate-veyne lyeth within the body, neuer attaining vnto the * 1.28 skinne, and therefore his branches are not opened vnlesse haply about the Fundament, where they make the Emrods, (to which we do more often apply Horsse-leaches) and in women at the necke of the wombe: and so much of the Gate-veyne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The names of the gate vein and the reason there of.
• * 1.2

  The diuision the gate vein
• * 1.3

  The trunke.
• * 1.4

  Where deui∣ded & why.
• * 1.5

  The trunke. Cysticae Gemelae
• * 1.6

  Gastrica dextra
• * 1.7

  Ramus splenicus
• * 1.8

  Mesentericus.
• * 1.9

  Gastrica minor.
• * 1.10

  Gastrica maior.
• * 1.11

  Coronaria stom.
• * 1.12

  Epiplois dextra.
• * 1.13

  Epiplois postica.
• * 1.14

  Pancrea.
• * 1.15

  Vas breue.
• * 1.16

  Epiplois sinistra
• * 1.17

  Gastro epiplois sinistra.
• * 1.18

  Brāches from the right bow of the gate-veine.
• * 1.19

  Gastro-epiplois dextra.
• * 1.20

  Intestinalis.
• * 1.21

  The mesera∣icke veynes
• * 1.22

  The double worke of the meseraicks.
• * 1.23

  Why there be no values at their ends. Against Co∣lumbus.
• * 1.24

  The left me∣sentericke.
• * 1.25

  The internall Hemrod∣veynes.
• * 1.26

  The diference betwixt the Gate and the hollow veyne.
• * 1.27

  The vse of the gate-veyne and of his branches.
• * 1.28

  Note.