570 LYMPHATICS. 



the lesser and greater curvatures, some within the gastro-splenic omentura, 

 whilst others surround the cardiac and pyloric orifices. 



The lymphatics of the stomach consist of two sets, superficial and deep ; the 

 former originating in the snbserous, and the latter in the submucous coat. They 

 follow the course of the bloodvessels, and may^ consequently, be arranged into 

 three groups. Theirs* group accompany the coronary vessels along the lesser 

 curvature, receiving branches from both surfaces of the organ, and pass to the 

 glands around the pylorus. The second group pass from the great end of the 

 stomach, accompany the vasa brevia, and enter the splenic lymphatic glands. 

 The third group run along the greater curvature with the right gastro-epiploic 

 vessels, and terminate at the root of the mesentery in one of the principal lac- 

 teal vessels. 



The lymphatic glands of the spleen occupy the hilum. Its lymphatic vessels con- 

 sist of two sets, superficial and deep; the former are placed beneath its peritoneal 

 covering, the latter in the substance of the organ ; they accompany the blood- 

 vessels, passing through a series of small glands, and after receiving the lym- 

 phatics from the pancreas, ultimately pass into the thoracic duct. 



THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM OF THE INTESTINES. 



The Lymphatic Glands of the Small Intestine are placed between the layers 

 of the mesentery, occupying the meshes formed by the superior mesenteric 

 vessels, and hence called mesenteric glands. They vary in number from a hun- 

 dred to a hundred and fifty ; and in size, from that of a pea to that of a small 

 almond. These glands are most numerous, and largest, above near the duode- 

 num, and below opposite the termination of the ileum in the colon. This latter 

 group becomes enlarged and infiltrated with deposit in cases of fever accompa- 

 nied with ulceration of the intestines. 



The Lymphatic Glands of the Large Intestine are much less numerous than 

 the mesenteric glands : they are situated along the vascular arches formed by 

 the arteries previous to their distribution, and even sometimes upon the intes- 

 tine itself. They are fewest in number along the transverse colon, where they 

 form an uninterrupted chain with the mesenteric glands. 



The Lymphatics of the Small Intestine are called lacteals, from the milk-white 

 fluid they usually contain ; they consist of two sets, superficial and deep ; the 

 former lie beneath the peritoneal coat, taking a longitudinal course along the 

 outer side of the intestine ; the latter occupy the submucous tissue, and course 

 transversely round the intestine, accompanied by the branches of the mesenteric 

 vessels : they pass between the layers of the mesentery, enter the mesenterio 

 glands, and finally unite to form two or three large trunks, which terminate in 

 the thoracic duct. 



The Lymphatics of the Large Intestine consist of two sets: those of the 

 caecum, ascending and transverse colon, which, after passing through their 

 proper glands, enter the mesenteric glands ; and those of the descending colon 

 and rectum, which pass to the lumbar glands. 



THE LYMPHATICS OF THE THORAX. 



The Deep Lymphatic Glands of the Thorax are the intercostal, internal mam- 

 mary, anterior mediastinal, and posterior mediastinal. 



The intercostal glands are small, irregular in number, and situated on each 

 side of the spine, near the costo-vertebral articulations, some being placed be- 

 tween the two planes of intercostal muscles. 



The internal mammary glands are placed at the anterior extremity of each 

 intercostal space, by the side of the internal mammary vessels. 



The anterior mediastinal glands are placed in the loose areolar tissue of the 

 anterior mediastinum, some lying upon the Diaphragm in front of the pericar- 

 dium, and others round the great vessels at the base of the heart. 



The posterior mediastinal glands are situated in the areolar tissue in the pos- 



