568 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



lymphatic vessels from the knee-joint pass, for the most part, to the popliteal 

 glands, but some ascend to the superficial femoral glands. 



The supeyficial lymphatics from the outer and back parts of the thigh supe- 

 riorly pass to the inguinal glands, and those from the upper and inner parts 

 of the thigh terminate in the pubic glands. 



The superficial gluteal lymphatics from the outer two-thirds of the gluteal 

 region pass to the inguinal glands; and those from the inner one-third ter- 

 minate partly in the pubic glands and partly in the superficial femoral glands. 



Deep Lymphatics of Lower Limb. — The deep lymphatic vessels accompany 

 the main arteries. They form groups as follows: (i) Dorsalis pedis and 

 anterior tibial; (2) plantar and posterior tibial; (3) peroneal; (4) femoral; 

 (5) sciatic; (6) gluteal; and (7) obturator. 



The dorsalis pedis and anterior tibial lymphatics arise in the deep structures 

 of the sole of the foot, and they reach the dorsum of the foot along the plantar 

 or perforating branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. They then accompany 

 the dorsalis pedis and anterior tibial arteries, taking up the deep lymphatics 

 of the dorsum of the foot and front of the leg. Thereafter they terminate in 

 the anterior tibial gland, the efferent vessels of which pass to the popliteal 

 glands. 



The plantar and posterior tibial lymphatics arise, like the preceding group, 

 in the deep structures of the sole of the foot, and they accompany the two 

 plantar arteries, especially the external -plantar artery. . Thereafter they pass 

 along the posterior tibial artery and terminate in the popliteal glands. 



The peroneal lymphatics arise in (i) the back part of the outer border of 

 the foot, (2) the outer surface of the heel, and (3) the front of the external 

 malleolus. They accompany the peroneal artery, taking up lymphatics from 

 the deep structures on the back of the fibula, and in the upper part of the 

 leg they terminate in the posterior tibial lymphatics. 



The deep femoral lymphatics represent (i) the efferent vessels of the popliteal 

 glands, which accompany the superficial femoral artery, and (2) the lym- 

 phatic vessels which accompany the arteria profunda femoris and its branches. 

 They take up lymphatics from the deep structures on the inner and front 

 aspects of the thigh, and they terminate in the deep femoral glands. 



The sciatic lymphatics return lymph from the structures supplied by the 

 sciatic artery, which they accompany. Their destination is the internal 

 iliac glands within the pelvis. 



The deep gluteal lymphatics arise in the gluteal muscles and other deep 

 structures of the gluteal region. They accompany the gluteal artery, and, 

 within the pelvis, they terminate in the internal iliac glands. 



The obturator lymphatics arise in the obturator membrane, obturator 

 externus muscle, and upper portions of the adductor muscles. They accom- 

 pany the obturator artery as that vessel passes through the obturator canal, 

 and they terminate in the obturator gland, which, when present, lies in the 

 obturator canal. If this gland is absent, they pass to the middle gland of the 

 internal set of the external iliac glands. 



Summary of the Lymphatic Glands. — The lymphatic glands of the lower 

 limb form the following groups : 



1. InguinaL 4- Deep Femoral. 



2. Pubic. 5 Popliteal. 



3. Superficial Femoral, or Saphenous. 6. Anterior TibiaL 



Development of Arteries of Lower Limbs. 



The primary arterial stem of each lower limb is formed by the following 

 arteries, in order from above downwards: (i) The sciatic artery, which accom- 

 panies the great sciatic nerve; (2) the popliteal artery; and (3) the peroneal 

 artery. A little below the knee-joint the popliteal artery gives off the anterior 

 tibial artery, which is reinforced inferiorly by a branch of the peroneal artery. 



The arterial stem, as in the upper limb, is segmental in origin. The common 

 iliac arteries represent a fifth pair of abdominal segmental arteries, and each 



