THE LYMPHATICS 



THE lymphatics consist of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic glands. The 

 lymphatic vessels carry lymph, and the lymphatics of the intestine chyle as 

 well whilst digestion is going on. The chyle-carrying lymphatics are 

 generally known as lacteals. The lymphatic glands are situated at certain spots in 

 the course of the lymphatic vessels.' The lymphatic vessels ultimately terminate 

 either in the left or right lymphatic duct. The former, some eighteen inches in 

 length, known as the thoracic duct, Ijegins at the continence of certain lymphatics 

 in the ahdomen, passes through the thorax, and terminates in the left innominate 

 vein at the confluence of the left internal jugular and subclavian veins. It receives 

 the lymphatics of both lower extremities, the lymphatics of the abdomen, excej^t 

 those from the convex surface of the liver, the lymphatics from the left half of the 

 thorax, the left half of the head and neck, and the left upper extremity. The right 

 lymphatic duct is a short vessel a little less than an inch in length. It receives the 

 lymphatics from the convex surface of the liver, the right half of the thorax, the 

 right side of the head and neck, and the right upper extremity. It ends in the 

 right innominate vein at the confluence of the right internal jugular and subclavian 

 veins. 



The thoracic duct, or left lymphatic duct, is described with the Lvivi- 

 PHATics OF THE Thorax; the right lymphatic duct with the Lymphatics 

 OF THE Head and Neck. 



THE LYMPHATICS OF THE HEAD AND NECK 



The lymphatics of the head and neck are divided into the superficial and 

 the deep. The superficial roughly follow the course of the superficial veins. 

 Streaming down the scalp and face, they enter the neck through corresponding 

 groups of superficial glands, and then converge to join the superficial cervical 

 chain and in part the deep cervical chain of glands which are situated along the 

 course of the external and internal jugular veins respectively. The deep lymphatics 

 of the head and neck follow roughly the course of the deep arteries. They include 

 the lymphatics from the interior of the cranium; from the orl)it; from the interior 

 of the nose and mouth; from the tongue; from the i)l)arynx, larynx, and upi»er 

 part of the trachea and oesophagus, and from the thyroid gland. After passing 

 through certain glands in their course, they terminate chiefly in the deep cervieal 

 chain of glands. The deep cervical chain of glands, after receiving the lymjihatics 

 from the superficial chain, ends in the thoracic duct on the left side, and in the 

 right Ivmphatic duct on the right side. 

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