Hemolymph Node - An Immunomorphlogical Organ: Modeling the Hemolymph Node by Allografting Renal Tissue in the Rat.

There is no authoritative characterization of the attributes of the hemolymph node (HLN) since Gibbes' first description in 1884. Early reports showed that HLN are found near the kidney in human and animals with the feature of numerous erythrocytes in sinuses. Subsequent studies mainly focused on anatomy and histology, such as the source, distribution, and quantity of erythrocytes in sinuses. Recent articles mentioned that the emergence of HLN was related to immunity, but there was no strong evidence to support this hypothesis. Therefore, it is still uncertain whether the HLN is an organ of anatomy, histology, or immunology. It has been found that the development of HLN could be elicited in the parathymic area by stimuli such as Escherichia coli, allogeneic breast cancer cells, and renal tissue that were injected/transplanted into the tail of rats in our pilot studies. In this study, the model of the HLN was established by transferring allogeneic renal tissue in the rat. Intrasinusoidal erythrocytes of the node were the component for producing a red macroscopic appearance, while macrophage-erythrocyte-lymphocyte rosettes were the major immunomorphological changes, reflecting the immune activity against the invasion of the allogeneic tissue within the node. Therefore, the HLN is an immunomorphological organ.

Deep lymphatic anatomy of the upper limb: An anatomical study and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: The deep and perforating lymphatic anatomy of the upper limb still remains the least described in medical literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six upper limbs with the axillary tissue were harvested from three unembalmed human cadavers amputated at the shoulder joint. A small amount of 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect the lymphatic vessels around the deep palmar arch, radial and ulnar neurovascular bundles. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the vessels and they were injected with a barium sulphate compound. Each specimen was dissected, photographed and radiographed to demonstrate deep lymphatic distribution of the upper limb. RESULTS: Continuing from the deep lymph vessels of the hand, single or multiple deep collecting lymph vessels have been found along the radial, ulnar, anterior and posterior interosseous neurovascular bundles in the forearm, brachial and deep branchial neurovascular bundles in the upper arm. During their courses, lymph nodes were found setting in the trunk of the radial, ulnar and brachial lymph vessels near or in the cubital fossa, and in the axillar. Perforating lymph vessels have been found near the wrist and in the cubital fossa, which linked the superficial and deep lymph vessels. The direction of lymphatic drainage was from the deep to superficial or superficial to deep vessels. CONCLUSION: The deep lymphatic anatomy of the upper limb has been described. The results will provide an anatomical basis for clinical management, educational reference and scientific research.

The deep lymphatic anatomy of the hand.

BACKGROUND: The deep lymphatic anatomy of the hand still remains the least described in medical literature. METHODS: Eight hands were harvested from four nonembalmed human cadavers amputated above the wrist. A small amount of 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect the lymphatic vessels around the superficial and deep palmar vascular arches, in webs from the index to little fingers, the thenar and hypothenar areas. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the vessels and injected with a barium sulphate compound. Each specimen was dissected, photographed and radiographed to demonstrate deep lymphatic distribution of the hand. RESULTS: Five groups of deep collecting lymph vessels were found in the hand: superficial palmar arch lymph vessel (SPALV); deep palmar arch lymph vessel (DPALV); thenar lymph vessel (TLV); hypothenar lymph vessel (HTLV); deep finger web lymph vessel (DFWLV). Each group of vessels drained in different directions first, then all turned and ran towards the wrist in different layers. CONCLUSION: The deep lymphatic drainage of the hand has been presented. The results will provide an anatomical basis for clinical management, educational reference and scientific research.

Perforating and deep lymphatic vessels in the knee region: an anatomical study and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: To determine the relationship between the perforating and deep lymphatic vessels in the knee region for clinical implications. METHODS: Four lower limbs from two unembalmed human cadavers were used. Under a surgical microscope, 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect lymph vessels accompanying the small saphenous vein, anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular blood vessels all commencing from distal ends of specimens. Each lymphatic vessel was inserted by a 30-gauge needle and injected with a barium sulphate mixture. Each specimen was dissected, radiographed and photographed to determine the perforating and deep lymphatic vessels in the region. RESULTS: A perforating lymph vessel was observed in the popliteal fossa of each specimen. It arose from the superficial popliteal lymph node and terminated in the deep popliteal lymph node. The anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal lymph vessels were discovered in the region travelling with the corresponding vascular bundles. After penetrating the vascular aperture of the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula, the anterior tibial lymph vessel entered directly into the deep popliteal lymph node or converged to either the posterior tibial or fibular lymph vessel, before entering the node. The posterior tibial and peroneal lymph vessels entered the deep popliteal lymph node. The efferent lymph vessel of the deep popliteal lymph node travelled with the femoral vascular bundle. CONCLUSION: The perforating and deep lymphatic vessels in the knee region has been presented and discussed. The information advances our anatomical knowledge and the results will benefit clinical management.

A Method for Making a Lymphatic Specimen of the Dorsum of the Hand.

PURPOSE: To make a lymphatic specimen of the dorsum of the hand for educational and clinical purposes. METHODS: A total of four hands from two unembalmed human cadavers were used. Under a surgical microscope, 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect the lymphatic vessels commencing from fingers. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into vessels and injected with a barium sulphate mixture. Each specimen was radiographed, photographed, and dissected to demonstrate the lymphatic vessels on the dorsum of the hand. After being embalmed in 4% formalin for 3 months, specimen was then sealed in a plexiglass container for display. RESULTS: An average of sixteen lymph collecting vessels were found in the subcutaneous tissue of the dorsum of the hand. The diameter of the vessels varied from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. Vessels were the continuation of lymph vessels arising from fingers. They travelled meanderingly in the subcutaneous tissue and traversed over or under the veins when they met. CONCLUSION: Actual and accurate lymphatic distributions of the dorsum of the hand have been described and displayed. The information upgrades our anatomical knowledge and the results will be of benefit for the lymphatic education and clinical application.