Report of an autopsy on the bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, commonly known as the Siamese twinsAllen, Harrison
History
Report of an autopsy on the bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, commonly known as the Siamese twins
Allen, Harrison
Conjoined twins
There were then two pouches communicating with the two abdominal
cavities, arranged one above another in the band, Chang’s being the
lower of the two. No remains of an umbilical vein were detected, nor was
there any communication between the pouches and the umbilicus. It has
already been noticed that the round ligament of each liver passed from
the longitudinal fissure to a scar on the anterior wall of the abdomen
near the band. It was not, therefore, within the round ligaments, but
the folds of the suspensory ligaments, that the pouches were found.
Eng’s pouch measured 2-1/2 in. From edge of Chang’s suspensory ligament
to end of hepatic pouch measured 3 in.
Extending across the band, about midway between the properties of the
two individuals, was a septum. It was attached above and below to the
respective boundaries of the band, and along its entire length was
incorporated with its two peritoneal cavities, so that when in the
course of the dissection of the “posterior” surface of the band the
peritoneal covering of the band was displayed, several large lobules of
fat were seen lying to Eng’s side of the septum.[4]
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Footnote 4:
Before the septum was known to exist, the band was opened from behind
in the presence of the Fellows of the College (Feb. 18th, 1874). The
exact relations of the septum could not at that time be determined.
Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are taken from studies of the parts made the day
after the meeting.
-----
It will be seen that Fig. 8 represents the band opened to display the
pouches with the septum. The lower end of the septum is fixed near the
scar of the umbilicus, and holds an immobile position over the umbilical
pouches. At this point it is free from fat. But as it extends over the
hepatic pouches it is more pliant. This portion of the septum has been
carried a little to Chang’s side of the band to display the entire
length of the hepatic pouch of Eng.
Figs. 9 and 10 are designed to exhibit the appearances presented in
securing views of the septum from its sides. Fig. 9 is the side toward
Chang, and Fig. 10 is the side toward Eng.
[Illustration Figure 8:
Fig. 8. The surface, C. R., E. L., showing the interior of band by
free division of the aponeuroses seen in Fig. 7, and their
underlying peritoneal attachments.
A. The orifice of umbilical pouch of Eng.
B. The orifice of umbilical pouch of Chang, showing connection
with suspensory ligament of Eng.
C. The fenestrated umbilical pouch of Eng passing between the
folds of the suspensory ligament of Chang.
D. Suspensory ligament of liver of Eng.
E. Hepatic tract.
F. Hepatic pouch of Eng.
G. The septum. ]
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