LYMPHATIC CAPILLARIES 



701 



The ovary has a rich superficial lymphatic plexus. lu the interior of the gland, according 

 to His, the capillaries forna networks in the connective- tissue framework. In the tunica externa 

 of the follicles there is a rich plexus. 



The kidney has two sets of lymphatics, a superficial, capsular set, and a deep set. The cap- 

 sular set is divided into two layers, one lying directly beneath the peritoneum made up of a wide 

 meshed plexus, and the other in the fibrous capsule of the kidney, with finer capillaries and 

 narrower meshes, which anastomose with the deeper capillaries. The lymphatic capillaries of 

 the kidney parenchyma have recently been described by Kumita. He found rich plexuses in 

 both cortex and medulla, surrounding the straight and convoluted tubules, the loops of Henle 

 and the collecting tubules. He also found a plexus surrounding and accompanying the blood- 

 vessels into the interior of the glomeruli. 



The lymphatic capillaries of the adrenal have also been described recently by Kumita. 

 His results agree with those of Stilling, who studied the lymphatics of the adrenal of horse, cow 

 and calf. Like the kidney, the adrenal possesses a superficial and a deep set. The superficial set 



Fig. 549. — Lymphatic Plexus around the Portal Vein in an Adult Man. (After Teich- 

 mann.) Showing the supporting relation of the vein. 



is m tw9 layers, as in the kidney, the outer lying in the looser tissue around the adrenal and the 

 inner lying within and just under the capsule. The latter is made up of a rich lymphatic plexus, 

 which anastomoses with the capillaries of the parenchyma. The parenchymatous lymphatics 

 are present in the form of plexuses which surround the groups of cells. 



In spite of numerous investigations, endothelial-lined lymphatics have not been definitely 

 found in the central nervous system, or in the peripheral nerves. The subarachnoid and similar 

 spaces, including the perineural spaces, do not form parts of the lymphatic system. 



•j"^^^^ plexuses of lymphatic capillaries are present in the tendons of muscles (Schweigger- 

 beidel and Ludwig). In muscles, themselves, the question of the presence of lymphatics has 

 long been disputed, sometimes answered in the affirmative, more often in the negative. A re- 

 cent study by Aagaard, however, would seem to place beyond doubt the presence of lymphatic 

 capillaries in striated muscles. By long continued injection, he was able to find Ivmphatics in the 

 intramuscular portions of the tendons, which extended out among the muscle fibres themselves. 

 He also found capillaries in the tongue musculature. 



The heart is provided with a subperi cardial plexus of lymphatic capillaries. A subendocardial 

 plexus has also been described (Sappey, Rainer). Bock has recently found that there is an ex- 

 tremely rich lymphatic network throughout the substance of the heart. According to his de- 

 scription, the lymphatic capillaries are more numerous than the blood-capillaries. 



t.The periosteum of bones is provided with a rich plexus of lymphatic capillaries. They are 

 present in several layers, of which the outermost form the richest plexus. Lymphatic capillaries 



