Lymph Vessels of the Prepuce

The lymph vessels of the prepuce (Figures 31, 32: v) drain to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (Figures 31: 4; 32: 4, 6, 6’). The lymph vessels of the integumentary layer (Figure 32: 6, 6’) form coarse networks in the subcutis, while those of the parietal layer (Figure 31) form extraordinarily rich and fine networks in the parietal layer and the submucosa; these networks are, of course, not clearly separated. The lymph vessels emerging from these networks run between both layers to the base of the preputial sac. From here, some of the lymph vessels (Figure 32: 6) join the lymph vessels of the penis, which are closely attached to the penis, particularly on its dorsum, and run to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (Figure 32: 4). Other preputial lymph vessels (Figures 31: 5, 6; 32: 6’), however, run from the base of the preputial sac more in the fat between the penis and the ventral abdominal wall, in the caudal direction, to drain to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (Figures 31, 32: 4), often curving quite far laterally from the penis or forming large lateral loops, as shown in Figure 31.

For lymph vessels of the visceral layer of the prepuce, see the lymph vessels of the penis.