O- VIII. 



STRUCTURE OF THE LYMPHATIC GLANDS. 



It is now generally admitted, that the afferent communicate in 

 the interior of the lymphatic glands with the efferent vessels. 

 These glands, indeed, consist of a dense network of lymphatics, 

 in the meshes of which, the arteries, veins, and nerves, ramify. 

 Much difference of opinion still exists, however, as to the nature 

 of the communication between the afferent and efferent vessels, 

 and no definite idea is entertained regarding the parenchyma 

 of these organs. 



We know that an efferent lymphatic, before it enters a 

 gland, consists of an external tunic of filamentous texture, a 

 middle tunic of fibrous texture, and an internal layer of epi- 

 thelium. 



Immediately after the branches, into which the afferent vessel 

 divides, have penetrated the capsule of the gland, they lose their 

 external tunic. For a short distance, indeed, until they have 

 begun to anastomose with one another, a very thin external tunic, 

 accompanied by a little fat, is still observable. This fat is con- 

 tinuous with the layer of adipose texture, which generally exists 

 immediately under the capsule of the gland, and through which 

 the lymphatics must pass to and from the organ. 



The branches of the extra-glandular lymphatics, then, which 

 pass to and from the glands, possess a very thin internal tunic ; 

 but the network of infra-glandular lymphatics which enter into 



