LYMPHATICS OF THE AEDOMEX. 511 



which end in the thoracic duct. Sometimes, however, six or seven of 

 these vessels open separately into the commencement of the duct. 

 Those from the descending colon and its sigmoid flexure usually join 

 some of the lumbar lymphatics, or turn upwards and open by a sepa- 

 rate trunk into the lower end of the thoracic duct. 



The lymphatics of the stomach, like those of the intestines, are 

 placed, some beneath the peritoneal coat, and others between the 

 muscular and mucous coats. Following the direction of the blood- 

 vessels, they become arranged into three sets. Those of one set accom- 

 pany the coronary vessels, and receiving, as they run from left to right, 

 branches from both surfaces of the organ, turned backwards near "the 

 pylorus, to join some of the larger trunks. Another series, from the 

 left end of the stomach, follow the vasa brevia, and unite with the 

 lymphatics of the spleen: whilst those of the third set, guided by 

 the right gastro-epiploic vessels, incline from left to right along the 

 great curvature of the stomach, from which they pass backwards, and 

 at the root of the mesentery, terminate in one of the principal efferent 

 lacteal vessels. 



The lymphatics of the rectnm, likewise in two strata, are fre- 

 quently of cousiderable size : immediately after leaving the intestine, 

 some of them pass through small glands which lie contiguous to it ; 

 finally, they enter the lymphatic glands situated in the hollow of the 

 sacrum, or those higher up in the loins. At the anus, their capillary 

 network is continuous with that of the cutaneous lymphatics. 



The lymphatics of the spleen are placed, some immediately under 

 its peritoneal covering, others in the substance of the organ. Both 

 sets, converge to the inner side of the spleen, come into contact with 

 the blood-vessels, and, accompanying these, pass through a series of 

 small glands, and terminate in the larger lymphatics of the digestive 

 organs. 



Lymphatics emerge from the vancrcas at different points, and join 

 those derived from the sjiicen. 



The lymphatics of the liver are divisible into three principal sets, 

 according as they are placed upon its upper or its under surface, or are 

 spread through its substance with the blood-vessels. 



The lymphatic vessels on the upper surface of the liver incline towards 

 particular points, and so become distinguishable into groups, of which 

 four are usually enumerated. 1. From the middle of this surface five 

 or six branches run towards the falcifonn ligament, and, being directed 

 forwards on this membrane, they unite to form a large trunk, which 

 passes upwards betvreen two slips of the attachment of the diaphragm, 

 behind the ensiform cartilage. Having reached the interpleural space 

 behind the sternum, they ascend through a chain of lymphatic glands 

 found upon the internal mainmary blood-vessels, 2. The second group 

 consists of vessels which inchne outwards towards the right lateral 

 ligament, opposite to which they unite into one or two larger lym- 

 phatics ; these pierce the diaphragm, and run forwards upon its upper 

 surface to join the preceding set of vessels behind the sternmn. In 

 some cases, however, instead of passing into the thorax, they turn 

 inwards on reaching the back part of the liver, and, running upon the 

 crus of the diaphragm, open into the thoracic duct close to its com- 

 mencement. 3. Anotlier set of lymphatics is found upon the left lobe 

 of the liver ; the vessels of which it is composed, after reaching the 



