TEE LYMPHATICS. 



717 



the surface of the superficial aponeuroses, in forming parallel fasciculi, like the 

 deep lymphatics. 



The direction followed by the lymphatics m their course, is nearly always 

 somewhat rectilinear ; they never show the flexuosities which are so marked 

 in the course of certain arteries, and even some veins. Neither do they com^ 

 municate with one another by transverse or arching anastomoses, Uke those so 

 commonly met with in the other two orders of vessels belonging to the circulatory 

 apparatus. They frequently, however, in their parallel course, bifurcate and 

 join the neighbouring vessels. (At certain situations— as at some of the articula- 

 tions, and in other parts — the larger trunks suddenly break up into a close 

 interlacing plexus of small vessels or capillaries — Fig. 392 — which in their 

 arrangement greatly resemble the refe mirahiU of the blood-vessels. This plexus 



F>K. 392. 



A SECTION OF A SIMPLE LYMPHATIC RETE MIRABILE, VIEWED FROM THE SURFACE. 



a, a, Afferent vessels ; h, b, efferent vessels only partially visible (from the popliteal space). 



is surrounded by condensed connective tissue, and is penetrated by blood-vessels, 

 though no communication takes place between them and these, the only points 

 at which communication occurs being where the great lymphatic trunks empty 

 themselves into the vena cava. This refe would appear to be the first step 

 towards the formation of a lymphatic gland.) 



But of all the considerations relative to the course of these vessels, the most 

 interesting are those which belong to the glandiform bodies placed along their 

 track, the abridged history of which we shall give immediately. 



Termination. — We have already mentioned the thoracic duct and the right 

 great lymphatic vessel as being the receptacles of all the absorbent vessels of 

 the body, and we have also stated that these two trunks enter the general venous 

 system ; this union of the blood with the lymphatic system takes place at the 

 origin of the anterior vena cava, and this vessel may be considered as the 

 general confluent for all the absorbents of the body. The researches of Haller, 

 Cruikshank, and Mascagni first threw light on this important fact ; and it is to 

 those of Fohmann, Panizza, Rossi, etc., that we owe the realization of this 

 discovery. 



48 



