5U THE ABSORBENT VESSELS. 



up-vrards behind the costal cartilages to terminate on the left side in the 

 thoracic duct, and on the opposite side in the right lymphatic duct. 

 They receive branches from tlie upper surface of the liver, and small 

 branches from the anterior parts of the intercostal spaces. The inter- 

 costal lymphatics, passing backwards in each intercostal space, receive, 

 as they approach tlie spine, branches coming forvrard through the inter- 

 transverse space, and enter the intercostal glands, through the efferent 

 ducts of which their contents are poured on both sides of the body into 

 the thoracic duct. 



The lymphatics of the lungs, like those of other organs, form two 

 sets, one being superficial, the other deep-seated. Those at the surface 

 run beneath the pleura, where they form a network by their anasto- 

 moses. Their number is considerable, but they are sometimes difficult 

 of demonstration. The deep lymphatics run with the pulmonary blood- 

 vessels. Both superficial and deep lymphatics converge to the root of the 

 lung, and terminate in the bronchial glands. From these, two or three 

 trunks issue, which ascend along the trachea to the root of the neck, 

 and terminate on the left side in the thoracic duct, and o;i the right in 

 one of the right lymphatic trunks. 



The lymphatics of the heart follow the coronary arteries and veins 

 from the apex of the organ towards the base, where they communicate 

 with each other, and those of each side are gathered into one trunk. 

 The trunk from the right side, running upwards over the aortic arch 

 between the innominate and left carotid arteries to reach the trachea, 

 ascends to the root of the neck, and terminates in the right lymphatic 

 duct. The vessel from the left side proceeding along the pulmonary 

 artery to its bifurcation, passes through some lymphatic glands behind 

 the arch of the aorta, and ascends at the side of the trachea to ter- 

 minate in the thoracic duct. 



The lymphatics of the oesophagus, unlike those of the rest of the 

 alimentary canal, form only one layer, which lies internal to the mus- 

 cular coat. They are connected with glands in the neighbourhood, and 

 after having communicated by anastomoses with the lymphatics of the 

 lungs, at and near the roots of those organs, they terminate in the 

 thoracic duct. 



The lymphatics of the thymus gland are numerous. According 

 to Astley Cooper, two large vessels proceed downwards from them on 

 €ach cornu, and terminate in the jugular veins by one or more orifices 

 on each side. (Anatomy of the Thymus Gland, p. 14.) 



LYMPHATICS OF THE UPPER LIMB. 



In the upper limb, as in the lower, the lymphatics are arranged in a 

 deep and a superficial set. These two sets of vessels, together with 

 the lymphatics of the surface of the greater part of the back, and 

 those of the mamma and pectoral muscles, converge to the axillary 

 glands. 



The lymphatic glands found in the upper limb below the axilla are 

 neither large nor numerous ; a few, however, are found in the course of 

 the brachial artery, and even of the arteries of the forearm ; and one 

 or more small glands are found in connection with the superficial 



