744 



THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM 



The lymphatics of the penis. — (1) The cutaneous lymphatics form a plexus 

 from which collecting vessels follow the dorsal vein and end in the superficial 

 inguinal nodes. (2) The lymphatics of the glans form an exceedingly rich 

 plexus from which vessels follow the dorsal vein of the penis, as described under 

 the urethra, and end in the deep inguinal and external iliac nodes. (3) The 

 lymphatics of the erectile structures are little known. 



The lymphatics of the testis are both superficial and deep, the latter being 

 exceeding^ hard to inject. The collecting vessels follow the spermatic cord and 

 artery and end in the lumbar nodes. 



Fig. 588. — Lymphatics of the Perineum. (After Toldt, "Atlas of Human Anatomy," Reb- 



man, London and New York.) 



Dorsal lymph-vessels of the clitoris 



Glans clitoridis 



I 

 \ I Skin ] 



Labium majus 



Superficial epigastric vein \ 



Superficial inguinal lymph-nodes 



Region of the tuberosity of the ischium 



Fat of ischio-rectal fossa 



\ Perineum 

 Anus 



The lymphatics of the ductus deferens and vesiculae seminales. — In the 



ductus deferens only a su]i((rficial set has been injected, and its vessels pass to 

 the external iliac nodes. The plexus of the vesicute seminales is double, super- 

 ficial and deep, and its vessels pass to the external iliac and hypogastric nodes. 



In the Female 

 (Figs. 588, 589, 590) 



The lymphatics of the vulva. — Throughout the vulva there is an exceedingly 

 rich, superficial lymjjhatic plexus, from which collecting vessels pass to the 

 symphysis and there turn lateralward to the medial superficial inguinal nodes. 

 The fact that the capillary plexus is continuous from side to side and that there 

 is a plexus of the vessels in front of the symphysis, makes the nodes of both sides 

 liable to infection from a unilateral lesion. 



