THE LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE OF THE RECTUM / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The lymphatic drainage from the rectum in 50 foetus and infaht cadavers was studied with the method of injection the of lymphatics of the organ. The lymphatics of the perianal skin and cutaneus region of the anal canal run forward through the subcutaneus tissue of the perineum and the medial aspect of the thigh, and end in the superficial inguinal nodes. Most of the nodes belong to the medial region of the lower group, and some to the medial region of the upper group. There are only 3 cases in which the nodes belong to the lateral region of the upper group of the superficial inguinal nodes. Most of the efferents from the superficial inguinal nodes drain into the external iliac nodes, and some of them lead to the deep inguinal nodes located in the femoral canal (Gland of Cloquct). In 4 cases the efferents of the superficial inguinal nodes end in the nodes along the obturator artery. The lymphatics of the mucous coat of the anal canal mostly run parallel to the inferior rectal artery above the levator ani muscle, and end in the nodes around the beginning or bifurcate region of this artery. Some efferents pass along the lateral sacral artery to the nodes around this artery, or directly to the internal iliac nodes. The lymphatics originating just above the pectinate line accompany the inferior rectal artery through the fat in the ischiorectal fossa, and reach the nodes around the internal pudendal artery. The lymphatics of the ampulla of the rectum ascend parallel to the superior rectal artery, and lead to the nodes accompanying the branches of this artery, or to the nodes around the bifurcate or beginning region of this artery.