TY - JOUR AB - <p>Many studies have investigated the lymphatic architecture of head and neck using experimental animals, confirming the existence of lymphatic networks beneath the epithelium in gingival tissue. In this study, we investigated the use of these lymphatics as a drug delivery route by studying the architecture of lymphatic vessels in human interdental papilla. Serial cryosections were cut using the film-transfer method. To identify lymphatics, the sections were stained using enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques and three-dimensional images of lymphatics were reconstructed using 3D visualization software. Capillary lymphatic networks were observed in the lamina propria beneath the epithelium in human interdentalpapilla, and they joined with lymphatic networks beneath the epithelium in free gingiva. The networks consisted of a single layer of large irregular, hexagonal meshes and precollecting lymphatic vessels heading toward collecting lymphatic vessels that exited on the periosteum of the alveolar crest. These findings suggest that lymphatic flow from the interdental papilla drains into collecting lymphatic vessels running buccolingually on the alveolar crest of the interdental papilla. This may be an important anatomical feature during inflammation throughout the oral cavity in that the drainage function is maintained by part of lymphatic flow that is not impaired during the healing process.</p> AU - Y Ando, O Murai, Y Kuwajima, S Furukawa, D Sasaki, Y Okawa, T Yaegashi, H Miura, A Fujimura DA - 2011/8// IS - 4 VL - 44 PB - International Society of Lymphology and the University of Arizona Libraries PY - 2011 TI - LYMPHATIC ARCHITECTURE OF THE HUMAN GINGIVAL INTERDENTAL PAPILLA T2 - Lymphology UR - http://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/lymph/article/id/3709/ ER -