THE STOMACH. 



393 



close. From this point the veins take their origin. The ve- 

 nous rootlets unite in a stellate manner to form larger branches, 

 which descend almost vertically and empty into a venous retic- 

 ulum situated between the glandular layer and the muscularis 

 mucosse, and just above a similar arterial network. 



Lymphatics abound in the stomach. They appear to 

 arise from superficial loops, which, anastomosing between the 



PIG. 167. Lymphatics of the gastric mucous membrane of the human adult. Frey. 



glandular tubules, reach the fundal zone of these structures. 

 There they form a network, and this is in communication 

 with a plexus of larger vessels, situated in the submucous 

 tissue. 



The distribution of the gastric nerves does not differ mate- 

 rially from that of the small intestine, in the description of 

 which this matter will receive more particular attention. Gan- 

 glion-cells are frequently found both in the muscular layer 

 and the submucosa ; in the latter we have a tolerably distinct 

 plexus of nerve-filaments and ganglion-cells. 



Of the normal occurrence in the walls of the stomach, of 

 true lymphoid follicles, the author has been unable to find 

 convincing evidence. Nevertheless some writers assert that 

 they are always to be found there. 



