446 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



superficial to the vessel, one beneath it, and the remaining two bein^ 

 disposed laterally. They receive their afferent lymphatics from the 

 following sources: (i) sole of the foot; (2) deep part of the back ol 

 the leg ; (3) some of the superficial lymphatics accompanying the ex- 

 ternal or short saphenous vein ; and (4) the two efferent lymphatics 

 which proceed from the anterior tibial lymphatic gland on the front 

 of the interosseous membrane at its upper part. The course of 

 these two efferent lymphatics is backwards above the interosseous 

 membrane, or through the superior hiatus in it. 



The efferent lymphatics of the popliteal glands ascend to become 

 the afferent lymphatics of the deep femoral glands, which lie in con- 

 tact with the femoral vein near Poupart's ligament. 



Front and Inner Side of the Thigh. 



Landmarks. — Thigh. — The anterior superior spinous process of the 

 ilium is situated at the anterior extremity of the iliac crest, and can 

 readily be felt. It is the point from which the measurement of 

 the lower limb is taken. It is also a guide to the great trochanter 

 of the femur, that prominence being situated about 4 inches below 

 the spine, and about 4 inches behind a line let fall vertically from 

 it. The crest of the ilium extends backwards in a curved manner 

 from the anterior superior spinous process. Poupart's ligament 

 passes between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic 

 spine. It can be felt as a tense, firm band, especially when the 

 thigh is extended, abducted, and rotated outwards. Immediately 

 below it the inguinal lymphatic glands may be felt. Poupart's! 

 ligament, when traced inwards, conducts the finger to the pubic' 

 spine, which is situated at the lower and inner part of the anterior 

 abdominal wall about i;^ inches outside the upper part of the symj 

 physis pubis. It is sometimes a sharp-pointed process, and then iii 

 can readily be felt beneath the integument. In most bodies, howl 

 ever, it takes the form of a more or less indistinct tubercle, andj 

 especially in corpulent bodies, it cannot be felt. In such cases th<! 

 scrotal integument may be invaginated with the finger so as t(^ 

 raise the adipose tissue from over the spine. If it cannot be felt ii 

 this way, the thigh should be well abducted to render prominent tli 

 adductor longus muscle, the tendon of origin of which will serve as 

 guide to the spine, which lies above and to the outer side of it. Th 

 pubic spine is the guide to the following openings : the extern: 

 abdominal ring, which lies immediately above and to the outer sid 

 of it ; the crural or femoral ring, which is situated fully i inc 

 external to the spine in a line drawn outwards from it across tl 

 front of the thigh ; and the saphenous opening, which is situate 

 below, and a little external to, it. 



The pubic crest extends inwards for about i inch from tl 

 pubic spine, and terminates in the pubic angle above the syn 

 physial surface of the os pubis. The crest may be felt if the scrot 

 integument is invaginated and the little finger passed into the e 



