This
has been placed here by nature, because such a situation accords
best with the general configuration of the body. For the stomach could
not possibly be placed above the heart, seeing that this is the
sovereign organ; and if placed below, as in fact it is, then the mouth
could not possibly be placed there also. For this would have
necessitated a great increase in the length of the body; and the
stomach, moreover, would have been removed too far from the source
of motion and of concoction.
The head, then, exists for the sake of these three parts; while
the neck, again, exists for the sake of the windpipe. For it acts as a
defence to this and to the oesophagus, encircling them and keeping
them from injury. In all other animals this neck is flexible and
contains several vertebrae; but in wolves and lions it contains only a
single bone. For the object of nature was to give these animals an
organ which should be serviceable in the way of strength, rather
than one that should be useful for any of the other purposes to
which necks are subservient.
Continuous with the head and neck is the trunk with the anterior
limbs. In man the forelegs and forefeet are replaced by arms and by
what we call hands. For of all animals man alone stands erect, in
accordance with his godlike nature and essence.
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