Superficial Lymphatics
Lymph vessels from the superficial tissues of the foot congregate on either the medial or lateral side of the ankle. From here, they form lymphatic vessels that accompany the long saphenous vein (medially) or the short saphenous vein (laterally). Within the calf, lymphatics tend to pass either medially to the long saphenous lymphatics or laterally to short saphenous lymphatics. At the level of the knee, the short saphenous lymphatics unite with deep lymphatics at popliteal lymph nodes. Some lymphatics from the short saphenous may pass medially to join with long saphenous lymphatics.
In the thigh, lymphatics either pass medially towards the long saphenous vein or superiorly to the superficial inguinal nodes (particularly the lateral proximal superficial inguinal nodes). Long saphenous lymphatics first pass through distal superficial inguinal nodes before emptying into the deep inguinal nodes or passing directly to external iliac nodes.
Deep lymphatics
Deep lymphatic vessels drain lymph from the deeper structures within the leg, and also communicate with the superficial lymphatics at the popliteal fossa. They accompany the deep veins of the leg and terminate in the deep inguinal nodes on the medial side of the femoral vein.
Links
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5: Skin
- A) The Skin
- B) Arteries Of The Upper Limb
- C) Veins Of The Upper Limb
- D) Lymphatics Of The Upper Limb
- E) Arteries Of The Abdomen
- F) Veins Of The Abdomen
- G) Arteries Of The Lower Limb
- H) Veins Of The Lower Limb
- I) Lymphatics Of The Lower Limb
- J) Nerves Of The Lower Limb
- K) Peripheral Lymph Node Regions
- L) Important Anatomical Compartments
