Typology of the subclavian and axillary lymphatics

Abstract

Detailed dissections were performed bilaterally on 90 human adult cadavers to obtain more accurate data on the course and origin of the subclavian lymphatics and especially of the subclavian lymphatic trunk. We classified these into four types from the morphology. Type A (46.1%): The subclavian lymphatics were located along the medial edge of the subclavian vein edge close to the lateral thoracic wall. In this type, the subclavian lymphatics consisted of the subclavian node chain, interconnecting vessels, and short lymph trunks. Type B (20.0%): A large connecting vessel ran along the lateral edge of the subclavian vein or on the subclavian artery, with the result that the trunk was located away from the thoracic wall. In the Type B configuration, the vessels originated from the nodes near the origin of the thoracoacromial artery. Type C (21.7%): The Type B large collecting vessel was observed with the Type A subclavian lymphatics. Type D (12.2%): Lymph vessels were too fine to be found and dissected in the subclavian lymphatics. These observations provide critical information for an improved clinical examination and lymphatic resection of breast cancer.

Afferent and efferent lymph‐collecting vessels of the submandibular nodes with special reference to the lymphatic route passing through the mylohyoid muscle

“…However, possibly because most lymphatic research in the head and neck regions was based on injection methods even in relatively recent works such as that of Fisch et al,4 the perforating vessel, if present, might be composed of thin vessels invisible to the naked eye. However, Haagensen et al1 used the term “collecting vessels.” We have already recorded many lymph‐collecting vessels using the gross dissection method in several regions of the human body,2, 5–7 including long afferent and efferent pathways of the subdigastric (or jugulodigastric) and midjugular (or jugulo‐omohyoideus) nodes 8, 9…”