L YMPH-NODES. 1 3 3 



continuous with the nodules, we find that they have 

 an exactly similar structure, and bear the same 

 relation to the more irregularly arranged connective- 

 tissue septa which bound the branching spaces in 

 which they ramify, that the nodules do to the walls 

 of their investing spaces, i. e., they are suspended 

 in them by coarse trabeculse of reticular connective 

 tissue, and surrounded on all sides by lymph- 

 sinuses. These lymph-cords, ramifying and inoscu- 

 lating in the medullary portion of the node, form 

 an intricate system of intercommunication between 

 all the nodules of the gland. Injections of dilute 

 solutions of nitrate of silver into the lymph-sinuses 

 show that the surfaces of the nodules and lymph- 

 cords, as well as the walls of their investing spaces, 

 are covered with endothelium. 



If we study the relation of the lymph-vessels to 

 the lymph-nodes, we find that the former, on arriv- 

 ing at the surface of the node afferent vessels 

 pierce the capsule and become continuous with the 

 lymph-sinuses, into which they pour their contents ; 

 we find, further, that efferent vessels, still continuous 

 with the sinuses, leave the organ at other points, 

 frequently at the hilus. 



The lymph-nodes, then, are structures interrupt- 

 ing the course of the lymphatic vessels, in which the 

 lymph is forced to pass through a series of irregular- 

 branching spaces or sinuses, bathing in its course 

 certain peculiar structures the nodules and lymph- 



