788 



THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



external saphenous vein, and drains the region from which this vein derives its 

 tributaries. Another is placed between the popliteal artery and the posterioi 

 ligament of the knee; it receives the lymphatic vessels from the knee-joint 

 together with those which accompany the articular arteries. The others lie 

 at the sides of the popliteal vessels, and receive as afferents the trunks which 

 accompany the anterior and posterior tibial vessels. The efferents of the pop- 

 liteal nodes pass almost entirely alongside of the femoral vessels to the deep 

 inguinal nodes, but a few may accompany the internal saphenous vein, and end 

 in the nodes of the superficial inguinal group. 



The inguinal nodes vary from twelve to twenty in number and are arranged 

 in two groups, superficial and deep. 



FIG. 565. Nodes of the inguinal region with the afferent and some of the efferent lymphatics. 



(Poirier and Charpy.) 



The superficial inguinal lymph nodes (lymphoglandulae inguinales superficiales] 

 (Figs. 565 and 566), placed immediately beneath the superficial fascia in Scarpa's 

 triangle, are of large size, and vary in number from ten to twenty. It is 

 customary to divide these nodes into groups according to the region in which 

 they are found. A horizontal line carried through the saphenous opening divides 

 the nodes into two groups, a superior group and an inferior group. The nodes 

 of the superior . group (lymplioglandulae inguinales} form a chain immediately 

 below Poupart's ligament. They receive as afferents lymphatic vessels from the 

 integument of the penis, scrotum, perineum, buttock, and lower abdominal wall. 

 The nodes of the inferior group (lymphoglandulae subinguiuales) are placed on 

 either side of the upper part of the saphenous vein, and receive as afferents the 

 lymphatic vessels of the lower extremity and also some lymphatics from the penis, 

 scrotum, perineum, and buttock. 





