OF THE INTESTINES. 635 



The superficial lymphatics on the under surface of the liver are divided into 

 three sets : 1. Those on the right side of the gall-bladder enter the lumbar glands. 



2. Those surrounding the gall-bladder form a remarkable plexus ; they accom- 

 pany the hepatic vessels, and open into the glands in the gastro-hepatic omentum. 



3. Those on the left of the gall-bladder pass to the oesophageal glands and to the 

 glands which are situated along the lesser curvature of the stomach. 



The deep lymphatics accompany the branches of the portal vein and the hepatic 

 artery and duct through the substance of the liver ; passing out at the transverse 

 fissure, they enter the lymphatic glands along the lesser curvature of the stomach 

 and behind the pancreas, or join with one of the lacteal vessels previous to its 

 termination in the thoracic duct. 



The lymphatic glands of the stomach are of small size ; they are placed along 

 the upper part of the lesser and toward the pyloric end of the greater curvature. 



The lymphatic vessels of the stomach consist of two sets, superficial and deep ; 

 the former originating in the subserous, and the latter in the submucous coat. 

 They follow the course of the blood-vessels, and may consequently be arranged 

 into three groups. The first group accompany the gastric vessels along the lesser 

 curvature to the cardiac orifice, receiving branches from both surfaces of the 

 organ, and pass to the coeliac glands. The second group pass from the great 

 end of the stomach, accompanying the vasa brevia, and enter the splenic 

 lymphatic glands. The third group run along the greater curvature with the 

 right gastro-epiploic vessels toward the pylorus, and, receiving the lymphatics 

 from the upper part of the duodenum, terminate in the coeliac glands. 



The lymphatic glands of the spleen occupy the hilum. Its lymphatic vessels 

 consist of two sets, superficial and deep ; the former are placed beneath its 

 peritoneal covering, the latter in the substance of the organ ; they accompany the 

 blood-vessels, passing through a series of small glands, and, after receiving the 

 lymphatics from the pancreas, ultimately pass into the coeliac glands. 



The lymphatics of the pancreas also enter the coeliac glands. * 



THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM OF THE INTESTINES. 



The lymphatic glands of the small intestine are placed between the layers of 

 the mesentery, occupying the meshes formed by the superior mesenteric vessels, 

 and hence called mesenteric glands. They vary in number from a hundred to a 

 hundred and fifty, and in size from that of a pea to that of a small almond. 1 

 These glands are most numerous and largest above, the glands of the jejunum, 

 being more numerous than those of the ileum. This latter group becomes enlarged 

 and infiltrated with deposit in cases of fever accompanied with ulceration of the 

 intestines. 



The lymphatic glands of the large intestine are much less numerous than the 

 mesenteric glands ; they are situated along the vascular arches formed by the 

 arteries previous to their distribution, and even sometimes upon the intestine 

 itself. They are fewest in number along the transverse colon, where they form 

 an uninterrupted chain with the mesenteric glands. 



The lymphatic vessels of the small intestine are called lacteals, from the milk- 

 white fluid they usually contain : they consist of two sets, superficial and deep, 

 the former lie between the layers of the muscular coat and between the muscular 

 and peritoneal coats, taking a longitudinal course along the outer side of the 

 intestine ; the latter occupy the submucous tissue, and course transversely round 

 the intestine, accompanied by the branches of the mesenteric vessels ; they pass 

 between the layers of the mesentery, enter the mesenteric glands, and finally 

 unite to form two or three large trunks which terminate separately in the receptac- 

 ulurn chyli ; frequently, however, they first unite to form a single large trunk, 

 termed the intestinal lymphatic trunk. 



The lymphatic vessels of the large intestine consist of two sets : those of the 



1 Leaf (op. cit.) says it is very common to find not more than forty or fifty. 



