356 LYMPHATICS OF THE TRUNK. 



these glands pierce the cribriform fascia of the saphenous opening and the 

 sheath of the femoral vessels, to join the lymphatic gland situated in tho. 

 femoral ring, which serves to establish a communication between the lym- 

 phatics of the lower extremity and those of the trunk. The other efferent 

 vessels pierce the fascia lata to join the deep glands. The vessels which 

 pass upwards from the outer side of the dorsum of the foot, ascend along 

 the outer side of the leg, and curve inwards just below r the knee, to unite 

 with the lymphatics of the inner side of the thigh. The external group 

 consists of a few lymphatic vessels which commence on the outer side of 

 the foot and posterior part of the ankle, and accompany the external 

 saphenous vein to the popliteal region, where they enter the popliteal 

 glands. 



The Deep lymphatic vessels accompany the deep veins, and communi- 

 cate with the various glands in their course. After joining the deep in- 

 guinal glands they pass beneath Poupart's ligament, to communicate with 

 the numerous glands situated around the iliac vessels. The deep lym- 

 phatics of the gluteal region follow the course of the branches of the gluteal 

 and ischiatic arteries. The former join the glands situated on the upper 

 border of the pyriformis muscle, and the latter, after communicating with 

 the lymphatics of the thigh, enter the ischiatic glands. 



LYMPHATICS OF THE TRUNK, 



The lymphatics of the trunk may be arranged under three heads, super- 

 ficial, deep, and visceral. 



The Superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper half of the trunk pass 

 upwards and outwards on each side, and converge, some to the axillary 

 glands, and others to the glands at the root of the neck. The lymphatics 

 from the mammary glands follow the lower border of the pectoralis major, 

 communicating, by means of a chain of lymphatic glands, with the axil- 

 lary glands. The superficial lymphatic vessels of the lower half of the 

 trunk, of the gluteal region, perineum, and external organs of generation, 

 converge to the superior group of superficial inguinal glands. Some small 

 glands are situated on each side of the dorsal vein of the penis, near the 

 suspensory ligament ; from these, as from the superficial lymphatics, the 

 efferent vessels pass into the superior group of superficial inguinal glands. 



The Deep lymphatic glands of the thorax are the intercostal, internal 

 mammary, anterior mediastinal, and posterior mediastinal. 



The Intercostal glands are of small size, and are situated on each side 

 of the vertebral column, near the articulations of the heads of the ribs, and 

 in the course of the intercostal arteries. 



The Internal mammary glands, also very small, are placed in the inter- 

 costal spaces, by the side of the internal mammary arteries. 



The ^/Interior mediastinal glands occupy the loose areolar tissue of the 

 anterior mediastinum, resting some on the diaphragm, but the greater 

 number on the large vessels at the root of the heart. 



The Posterior mediastinal glands are situated along the course of the 

 aorta and oesophagus in the posterior mediastinum, and communicate 

 above with the deep cervical glands, on each side with the intercostal and 

 below with the abdominal glands. 



The Deep lymphatic vessels of the thorax are the intercostal, internal 

 mammary, and diaphragmatic. 



