OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY. 



489 



The deep popliteal glands, four or five 

 in number, are of small size; they sur- 

 round the popliteal vessels, imbedded in 

 the cellular tissue and fat of the popliteal 

 space. 



The deep inguinal glands are placed 

 beneath the deep fascia around the femoral 

 artery and vein. They are of small size, 

 and communicate with the superficial 

 inguinal glands through the saphenous 

 opening. 



The gluteal and ischiatic glands are 

 placed, the former above, the latter below, 

 the Pyriformis muscle, resting on their 

 corresponding vessels as they pass through 

 the great sacro -sciatic foramen. 



The Lymphatics of the lower extremity, 

 like the veins, may be divided into two 

 sets, superficial and deep. 



The superficial lymphatics are placed 

 between the integument and superficial 

 fascia, and are divisible into two groups, 

 an internal group, which follow the course 

 of the internal saphenous vein; and an 

 external group, which accompany the 

 external saphenous. 



The internal group, the largest, com- 

 mence on the inner side and dorsum of 

 the foot ; they pass, some in front of, and 

 some behind, the inner ankle, ascend the 

 leg with the internal saphenous vein, pass 

 with it behind the inner condyle of the 

 femur, and accompany it to the groin, 

 where they terminate in the group of in- 

 guinal glands which surround the saphe- 

 nous opening. Some of the efferent vessels 

 from these glands pierce the cribriform 

 fascia and sheath of the femoral vessels, 

 and terminate in a lymphatic gland 

 contained in the femoral canal, thus 

 establishing a communication between 

 the lymphatics of the lower extremity 

 and those of the trunk ; others pierce the 

 fascia lata, and join the deep inguinal 

 glands. 



The external group arise from the outer 

 side of the foot, ascend in front of the leg, 

 and, just below the knee, cross the tibia 

 from without inwards, to join the lym- 

 phatics on the inner side of the thigh. 

 Others commence on the outer side of the 

 foot, pass behind the outer malleolus, and 

 accompany the external saphenous vein 

 along the back of the leg, where they 

 enter the popliteal glands. 



The deep lymphatics of the lower ex- 

 tremity are few in number, and accompany 



Fig. 251. The Superficial Lymphatics and 

 Glands of the Lower Extremity. 



Superficial^ 

 "lla^U | 



