Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 548-552.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2014.05.010

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Applied anatomy of digital lymphatic vessels

ZENG Fan-qiang,  PAN Wei-ren,  WANG De-guang,  CHEN Yuan   

  1. Department of Anatomy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2013-12-30 Online:2014-09-25 Published:2014-10-14

Abstract:

Objective To determine the lymphatic anatomy in human digits. Methods xture of 6% hydrogen peroxide with ink was used to detect lymphatic vessels commencing on bilateral sides of each fingertip. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the lymphatic vessel and injected with a radio-opaque barium sulphate or lead oxide mixture. Vessels were traced, photographed and radiographed to demonstrate the lymphatic pathways and the relationship with the surrounding tissues in each digit. Transverse sections were made in one specimen. Results Each digit contained two collecting lymphatic vessels, one on each side. The diameter of the vessels varied from 0.2 to 0.8 mm, being larger in the proximal side and smaller in the distal end. They originated underneath the dermis on sides of the distal phalanges and travelled tortuously along the midaxial lines in the subcutaneous tissue on each side of digits. Vessels of adjacent digits converged in web spaces of the hand except vessels on the lateral border of the thumb and the medial border of the little finger. They then traveled radially to merge with lymphatic vessels in the dorsum of the hand. Transverse section of the finger showed locations of the digital lymphatic vessels, arteries, veins, nerves and neighboring tissues. Conclusion Actual and accurate lymphatic anatomy of the human digits has been described. This information upgrades our lymphatic anatomical knowledge and the results will be of bene?t for clinical management and further studies in the region.

Key words: Lymphatic vessel, Digit/finger, Lymphedema, Digital replantation, D , igital reconstruction

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