392 LYMPHATICS OF THE TRUNK. 



termination, and receiving the superficial lymphatic vessels from the 

 lower extremity. 



The Deep lympfiatic glands are the anterior tibial, popliteal, deep in- 

 guinal, gluteal, and ischiatic. 



The Anterior tibial is generally a single gland, placed on the inter- 

 osseous membrane, by the side of the anterior tibial artery in the upper 

 part of its course. 



The Popliteal glands, four or five in number and small, are embedded 

 in the loose areolar tissue and fat of the popliteal space. 



The Deep inguinal glands, less numerous and smaller than the super- 

 ficial, are situated near the femoral vessels in the groin, beneath the 

 fascia lata. 



The Gluteal and ischiatic glands are placed near the vessels of that 

 name, above and below the pyriformis muscle at the great ischiatic 

 foramen. 



The Superficial lymphatic vessels are divisible into two groups, in- 

 ternal and external ; the internal and principal group commencing on 

 the dorsum and inner side of the foot, ascend the leg by the side of 

 the internal saphenous vein, and passing behind the inner condyle of 

 the femur, follow the direction of that vein to the groin, where they 

 join the saphenous group of superficial inguinal glands. The greater 

 part of the efferent vessels from these glands pierce the cribriform 

 fascia of the saphenous opening and the sheath of the femoral vessels, 

 to join the lymphatic gland situated in the femoral ring, which serves 

 to establish a communication between the lymphatics of the lower 

 extremity and those of the trunk. The other efferent vessels pierce 

 the fascia lata to join the deep glands. The vessels which pass up- 

 wards from the outer side of the dorsum of the foot, ascend upon the 

 outer side of the leg, and curve inwards just below the knee, to unite 

 with the lymphatics of the inner side of the thigh. The external 

 group consists of a few lymphatic vessels which commence upon the 

 outer side of the foot and posterior part of the ankle, and accompany 

 the external saphenous vein to the popliteal region, where they enter 

 the popliteal glands. 



The Deep lymphatic vessels accompany the deep veins, and com- 

 municate with the various glands in their course. After joining the 

 deep inguinal glands they pass beneath Poupart's ligament, to com- 

 municate with the numerous glands situated around the iliac vessels. 

 The deep lymphatics of the gluteal region follow the course of the 

 branches of the gluteal and ischiatic arteries. The former join the 

 glands situated upon the upper border of the pyriformis muscle, and the 

 latter, after communicating with the lymphatics of the thigh, enter 

 the ischiatic glands. 



LYMPHATICS OF THE TRUNK. 



The lymphatics of the trunk may be arranged under three heads, 

 superficial, deep, and visceral. 



