A study of the lymphatic drainage in the golden hamster tongue.

Abstract

The distribution and pathway of lymphatic vessels in the golden hamster tongue and the location of regional lymph nodes were investigated by stick-injection of Indian ink, the intravascular injection of Indian ink and impregnation with silver nitrate solution, and 5’-Nase-ALPase double staining. Lymphatic capillaries formed a netwok in the lamina propria of the tongue mucosa, and connective tissue papillaries were found to have a single lymphatic capillary. More lymphatic vessels were present in the muscular zones of the lateral middle portion of the dorsum of the tongue than the other areas. A lympahatic canal network was formed in intrermuscular spaces of the mylohyoid muscle, transmandibular muscle and the anterior belly of the digastric muscles. The collecting lymphatic vessels which occurred from the lymphatic canal network extended toward the regional lymph nodes, and the collecting vessels were divided into superficial and deep groups of vessels. Lymphatic vessels in the lateral anterior portion and the dorsal central and lateral portions of the tongue ran via the superficial and deep collecting vessels and were communicated to ipsilateral and contralateral submandibular lymph nodes respectively. Regional submandibular lymph nodes, 1~3 in number were present on each side. One parotid lymph node and deep cervical lymph node were observed on each side. The efferent lymphatic vessels from the submandibular lymph nodes joined the jugular lymphatic trunk, and extended toward the angle of the junction of the internal jugular and subclavicular veins.