THE LYMPHATICS OF THE CANINE PARIETAL PERICARDIUM

Abstract

A careful anatomical study of the lymphaticdrainage from the parietal pericardiumreveals a complicated network that is notablydifferent from that defined by the instillation ofmarkers into the pericardial sac. The pericardialcupola and the posterior (dorsal) area ofthe parietal pericardium drain directly to thecardiac lymph node in the right uppermediastinum by relatively short lymphatics.The lymphatics of the anterior and lateralareas of the parietal pericardium pass tocollecting vessels that travel cranially orcaudally along the phrenic nerves. The formertraverse specific lymph nodes and then enterthe right or left venous angles. The latter passcaudally and then drain to the major collectingsystems from the area of the diaphragm.