490 THE ABSORBENTS. 



The superficial lymphatics of the lower limb arise in two sets, one from 

 the inner part of the dorsum and sole of the foot, the other from the outer. 

 The inner vessels follow a similar course to that of the internal saphenous vein : 

 passing partly in front and partly behind the inner ankle, they ascend 

 along the inner side of the knee and front of the thigh, and terminate in 

 the superficial inguinal glands. The outer vessels, ascending from the outer 

 side of the foot, pass in great part obliquely across the popliteal space to 

 join the inner set above the knee ; in part they reach the inner set by 

 crossing in front of the tibia ; and a small number of them accompanying 

 the external saphenous vein, dip down between the heads of the gastrocne- 

 mius muscle, and end in the popliteal glands. From the middle line of 

 the back of the thigh lymphatics pass round on both sides to reach the 

 inguinal glands. (Mascagni, Vasorum Lymph. Historia, 1787.) 



The deep-seated lymphatics of the lower limb are associated in their whole 

 course with the deep blood-vessels. In the leg they consist of three divi- 

 sions, namely, anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and peroneal. Neither these 

 nor the superficial absorbents pass through any lymphatic gland in the leg, 

 unless it be those lymphatics which accompany the anterior tibial artery, near 

 which a small gland is sometimes found on the front of the interosseous liga- 

 ment, above the middle of the leg. The several sets of deep lymphatics in the 

 leg enter the lymphatic glands situated in the popliteal space. The efferent 

 vessels from those glands are joined by others in contact with the branches 

 of the femoral artery, and enter the deep inguinal glands. Other deep 

 lymphatics, derived from the muscles of the gluteal region, and many pro- 

 ceeding from the adductor muscles of the thigh, enter the cavity of the 

 pelvis in company with the gluteal, sciatic, and obturator arteries, and pass 

 through a series of glands situated in the neighbourhood of the internal and 

 common iliac arteries. 



The superficial lymphatics of the lower half of the trunk converge to 

 the superficial inguinal glands, the direction of some of them being indicated 

 by the superficial circumflex iliac and epigastric, and the external pudic 

 arteries. Externally they converge to the groin from the gluteal region and 

 from the lower part of the back, those from the back crossing others which 

 pass upwards to the axillary glands. Anteriorly they descend from the 

 greater part of the surface of the abdomen, crossing and mingling above 

 the umbilicus with vessels which ascend towards the axillary glands. 



The superficial lymphatics of the penis usually form three vessels, two 

 being placed at the sides, and the other on the dorsum of the organ. 

 Commencing in the prepuce and beneath the mucous lining of the urethra, 

 they pass backwards, unite on the dorsum penis, and, again subdividing, 

 send branches on each side to the oblique inguinal glands. The deerj-seated 

 lymphatics of the penis pass under the pubic arch, and end in the glands 

 on the internal iliac artery. 



The lymphatics of the scrotum pass to the superficial inguinal glands along 

 the course of the external pudic arteries. 



The lymphatics of the external generative organs in the female present a 

 disposition similar to that existing in the male. 



ABSORBENTS OF THE ABDOMEN AND PELVIS. 



The external iliac lymphatic glands, from six to ten or more in number, 

 clustering round the external iliac artery, receive the efferent vessels from 

 both deep and superficial inguinal glands. 



