CHAPTER III. 



A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IN 

 THE HUMAN BODY. 



IT has already been observed that the lymphatic system, be- 

 sides the glands, is divided into three parts, viz. the lacteals, 

 the lymphatic vessels, and the thoracic duct. That the lacteals 

 belong to the intestinal tube, whilst the lymphatic vessels be- 

 long to all the other parts of the body, and that the thoracic 

 duct is the common trunk which receives both the lacteals and 

 the lymphatics. I shall next proceed to give a particular de- 

 scription of each of these vessels, and shall begin with the 

 lymphatics of the lower extremities. 



The lymphatic vessels of the lower extremities may be 

 divided into two sets, viz. a superficial and a deep-seated. 



The superficial set of lymphatics consists of a considerable 

 number of vessels that lie between the skin and the muscles, 

 and belong to the surface of the body or the skin, and to the 

 cellular membrane which lies immediately under it. Of these 

 there are two large branches that can be readily enough disco- 

 vered in the limbs of dropsical subjects; one of which runs upon 

 the top of the foot, as is represented Plate I, fig. 1, a ; another 

 can generally be found just under the inner ankle. I have 

 introduced pipes into both of them, and have thereby filled 

 them the whole length of the lower extremity, as is seen in 

 Plate I. 



The lymphatic , which, belongs to the toes, runs up on 

 the outside of the tendon of the tibialis anticus i, till it has 

 got above the ankle ; and it divides at b, and again at c, c, c, 

 forming a plexus, which runs over the shin-bone H, and 

 ascends in the cellular membrane immediately under the skin, 



