The Hepatic Hilar Lymphatics of Man

Abstract

NUMEROUS observations during the course of studies on the pathogenesis of experimental ascites have suggested that the hepatic lymphatics play an important part.^{1 2 3 4} In these studies ascites was produced by constriction of the inferior vena cava above the liver, and tremendous dilatation of the capsular lymphatics and the lymphatics in the hepatoduodenal ligament was observed. The question whether such changes occur in man has never been adequately investigated. It has been shown that the deep lymphatics of the liver follow the course of the portal veins and bile ducts and drain toward the hilus of the liver.^{2 , 5 , 6} It is generally . . .