746 THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM 



the hypogastric nodes; and the inferior set runs to the lateral sacral nodes and to 

 those of the promontory. The capillary network of the lower part of the vagina 

 is continuous with the plexus of the vulva, which drains to the inguinal nodes. 



Fig. 590. — ^Lymphatics of the Vagina. (After Poirier.) 



Utero-vaginal lymphatics 



Vaginal lymphatics 

 (middle) 



Vaginal lymphatics 



(inferior) 



Lymphatics of the vulva — 



) 



E. THE LYMPHATICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY 

 1. THE LYMPHATIC NODES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY 



The principal group of nodes of the lower extremity is situated in the in- 

 guinal region, and hence is known as the inguinal group. It is in many respects 

 similar to the axillary group, although it is not quite equivalent to it develop- 

 mentally. The nodes composing it are divisible into a superficial and a deep 

 group, the former containing many more and larger nodes than the latter. 

 Furthermore, it is convenient to divide each of these groups into an upper and a 

 lower set, the dividing line being an arbitrary line drawn horizontally through the 

 point where the saphenous vein pierces the fascia of the fossa ovalis. The nodes 

 above this line are termed collectively the inguinal nodes, while those below it 

 are known as the subinguinal nodes. 



The superficial inguinal nodes [Igl. inguinalcs superficiales] (fig. 591), lie 

 along the base of the femoral trigone immediately below Poupart's ligament, 

 superficial to the fascia lata. Their number varies from ten to twenty. They 

 receive the subcutaneous drainage of the abdominal walls, the gluteal region, 

 and the perineal region, and their efferents descend to the fossa ovalis, which they 

 perforate along with the saphenous vein and terminate in the lower external 

 iliac nodes. 



The superficial subinguinal nodes [Igl. subinguinales superficiales], occupy 

 the lower part of the femoral trig(juo and receive the entire superficial drainage 

 of the leg, as well as a few vessels from the gluteal region and from the perineum. 

 Their efferents pierce the fossa ovalis and pass partly to the deep subinguinal 

 nodes and partly directly to the lower external iliac nodes. 



