Lymphatic Drainage
Copyright 2009
Introduction
The lymphatic capillaries drain from the left ventricle into progressively larger lymphatic vessels. The lymph ultimately flows into the thoracic and right lymphatic ducts.
- . The basic outline of the cardiac lymphatic system
- major subepicardial lymphatic plexuses and
- smaller myocardial and subendocardial vessels.
The subepicardial plexus lies between between the epicardium and the myocardium. It consists of both large and small lymphatic capillaries which drain into larger draining vessels.
The lymph drains from the subendocardium through the myocardium where it collects in subendocardial plexuses and then into lymphatic vessels which travel along with the LAD
Ashley Davidoff MD
The vessels from this plexus unite to form a single lymphatic channel that ascends between the LA and pulmonary trunk and progress to the inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes most commonly on the right.
References
Loukas M, et al The Cardiac Lymphatic System Clinical Anatomy 24:684–691 (2011)
Shore LR. The lymphatic drainage of the human heart . J Anat. 1929; 63(Pt 3): 291–313