244 



ABSORPTION LYMPH AND CHYLE 



the great trunks by which they communicate with the venous system, 

 they present a peculiar anastomosis with the adjacent vessels, called 

 anastomosis by bifurcation ; that is, as a vessel passes along with other 

 vessels nearly parallel with it, it bifurcates, and the two branches pass 

 into the nearest vessels on either side. These anastomoses are quite 

 frequent, and they usually occur between vessels of equal size. In 



Fig. 52. Superficial 

 lymphatics of the skin of the 

 palmar surface of the finger 

 (Sappey). 



Fig- 53- Deep lymphatics of the skin of 

 the finger (Sappey) . 



i, i, deep network of cutaneous lym- 

 phatics ; 2, 2, 2, 2, lymphatic trunks con- 

 nected with this network. 



Fig. 54. The same fin- 

 ger, lateral view, showing 

 lymphatic trunks connected 

 with the superficial net- 

 work (Sappey). 



their course the vessels pass through the so-called lymphatic glands, or 

 nodes. 



A notable peculiarity in the lymphatic vessels is that they vary very 

 little in size, being nearly as large at the extremities as they are near 

 the trunk. In their course they are always much smaller than the 

 veins and do not progressively enlarge as they pass on to the great 

 lymphatic trunks. The largest vessels that pass from the skin are 

 2T to iV f an mc h to 2 millimeters) in diameter, and the larger 

 vessels, in their course, have a diameter of ^ to \ of an inch (2 to 

 3 millimeters). As in the case of the smallest lymphatics of the primi- 



