Measurement of Lymph Flow of the Heart*

Abstract

The intrinsic lymphatics of the heart consist of subendocardial, myocardial and subepicardial
plexuses. Collecting channels lie in the atrioventricular sulcus and two main
trunks drain roughly the left and right sides of the heart (1, 2, 3). Patek (I) noted that
these two trunks form a single trunk which lies on the pulmonary artery. Symbas (3)
made in vivo studies and described separate courses to the mediastinum of the left and
the right trunks. A third trunk lies posteriorly and drains part of the posterior myocardium
(4). Above the roots of the aorta and pulmonary artery the number of lymphatics
pathways and interconnections vary considerably as illustrated by Allison and
Sabiston (4).