As part of the mummification process, the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines were removed from the body and placed into individual wide necked funerary jars, known as canonic jars. The Egyptians believed that the deceased would need their organs in the afterlife, so they were preserved in this way and buried in the tomb with the mummified body of their owner.

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The contents of the canonic jars were each guarded by one of the Sons of Horus, whose images were often represented on the stoppers of the jars.
Each of the Sons of Horus also represented one of the cardinal points of the compass, and was protected in turn by one of the ancient goddesses of Egypt.

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Hapy, who had the head of a baboon, protected the lungs. He was the god of the North, and his canopic jar was placed on the right hand side of the coffin. He was protected in turn by the goddess Nephthys.

Duamutef, who was represented with the head of a jackal, protected the stomach. He was the god of the East, and his canopic jar was placed on the left hand side of the coffin. He was protected by the goddess Neith.

Imset, who had the head of a human, protected the liver. He was the god of the South, and his canopic jar was placed on the left hand side of the coffin. He was protected by the goddess Isis.

Qebehseneuf, who was represented with the head of a falcon, protected the intestines. He was the god of the West, and his canopic jar was placed on the right hand side of the coffin. He was protected by the goddess Serket.