THE LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE IN THE YUCATAN MINIPIG

Abstract

The gross anatomy of the cardiac lymphatic system draining the left ventricle was studied in15 Yucatan minipigs and 2 regular swine. The findings confirm that the drainage pathways aresimilar to those of man and dog. After a coloring marker is injected near the apex of the leftventricle, one or more lymphatics are seen to ascend towards the left atrial appendage. Wherethere is more than one ascending lymphatic, they typically join before or at the left atrialappendage. This principal lymphatic then passes beneath the appendage and travels behind(dorsal to) the pulmonary artery and aorta to the right side of the mediastinum. From here, thelymphatic passes cephalad along the left border of the superior vena cava to enter the cardiaclymph node between the superior vena cava and the trachea.