THE LOWER LIMB 453 



3. The superficial lymphatics from the outer and back parts of the thigh 

 superiorly. 



The pubic glands receive their afferent vessels from the following 

 sources : 



1. The superficial lymphatics from the suprapubic region of the anterior 

 wall of the abdomen. 



2. The superficial lymphatics from the upper and inner parts of the thigh. 



3. Some of the superficial lymphatics from the inner one-third of the gluteal 

 region. 



4. Most of the lymphatics from the scrotum. 



5. The lymphatics from (a) the integument of the penis, including the 

 prepuce and most of the penile portion of the urethra, (6) the prepuce of the 

 clitoris, (c) the labium majus, and (d) the labium minus or nympha. (A few 

 of these lymphatics may pass to the superficial femoral glands.) 



6. The superficial lymphatics from the perineum (a few of which may pass 

 to the superficial femoral glands). 



7. The lymphatics of the lower part of the anal canal below the anal valves, 

 and of the anus (a few of which occasionally pass to the superficial femoral 

 glands) . 



8. Some of the lymphatics from the lower one-third of the vagina. 



9. A few lymphatics from the body of the uterus. 



The efferent lymphatics of both the inguinal and pubic glands 

 pierce the cribriform fascia and anterior wall of the femoral sheath. 

 Thereafter most of them end in the deep femoral glands, most of 

 which lie within the middle compartment of the femoral sheath. 

 A few of them, however, may ascend into the abdomen, and end in 

 the lower external iliac glands. 



Blood-Supply. — ^The inguinal glands are supplied by the super- 

 ficial circumflex iliac and superficial epigastric branches of the 

 common femoral artery; and the pubic glands are supplied by the 

 superior external pudic branch of that vessel. 



The superficial femoral or saphenous glands are otherwise called the 

 inferior or vertical superficial inguinal glands. They are situated at 

 the lower end of the saphenous opening, where they lie, with their 

 long axes vertical, on either side of the terminal part of the internal 

 or long saphenous vein, underneath the subcutaneous layer of the 

 superficial fascia. They are usually from four to six in number, and 

 they receive their afferent lymphatics from the following sources : 



1. The superficial lymphatics of the foot and leg {internal saphenous 

 lymphatics), except the external saphenous lymphatics which pass to the 

 popUteal glands. 



2. The superficial efferent lymphatics of the popUteal glands. 



3. The superficial femoral lymphatics, except (i) those from the outer and 

 back parts of the thigh superiorly, which pass to the inguinal glands; and 

 (2) those from the upper and inner parts of the thigh, which pass to the pubic 

 glands. 



4. Some of the lynnphatics of the knee-joint. 



5. Some of the superficial lymphatics from the inner one-third of the gluteal 

 region. 



6. Occasionally some of the lymphatics from (a) the perineum, (b) the 

 scrotum, (c) the integument of the external genital organs (see Pubic Glands), 

 and (d) the lower part of the anal canal and the anus. 



