Articles

SPONTANEOUS CONTRACTILITY IN THE HUMAN LYMPH VESSELS

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Abstract

During the diagnostic lymphangiography of the lower limbs, the motility of the lymph vessels was investigated in 79 consecutive patients, by means of a particularly performed serial radiography, aided by photographic magnification of films.

Because of technical difficulties, a rather high incidence of imperfect examinations occurred.

In 26 out of 35 (74.3%) technically satisfactory observations obtained from patients with no obstacle to lymph flow, evident morphological modifications were demonstrated, surely caused by intrinsic spontaneous contractility. Only in few cases a conctractile activity, somehow resembling a true peristaltic wave could be demonstrated; usually the lymphatic "pulse" appeared irregular and greatly varying and no specific rhythm was detected.

Our findings suggest that: intrinsic contractility may be an important determinant of lymph flow; the pattern of contractility is strongly influenced by the anatomical feature of the lymphatic chain, whose lymphangions (intervalve segments), appear continuously varying in size and shape.

How to Cite:

Armenio, S., Cetta, F., Tanzini, G. & Guercia, C., (1981) “SPONTANEOUS CONTRACTILITY IN THE HUMAN LYMPH VESSELS”, Lymphology 14(4), 173-178.