Premium
Lymphatic anastomoses between the distal esophagus and gastric cardia in dogs
Author(s) -
Natsugoe Shoji,
Aikou Takashi,
Shimazu Hisaaki,
Tabata Masashi
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.980040506
Subject(s) - medicine , esophagus , lymphatic system , anatomy , muscularis mucosae , anastomosis , gastric cardia , pathology , adenocarcinoma , cancer , surgery
The intramural lymphatic system draining the distal esophagus and gastric cardia was studied on 35 mongrel dogs, using a dye injection procedure. When the dye was injected into the esophageal or gastric mucosa within 2 cm of the esophago‐gastric junction (EGJ), a mesh of lympho‐capillary networks was observed advancing inferiorly or superiorly across the EGJ. The intramural lymphatics of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia anastomose, especially in the central part of the muscularis mucosae. On transmission electron microscopy, lumina filled with dye were proved to be lymphatic capillaries by demonstrating open gaps and overlapping or inter‐digitating endothelial cell processes. Some lympho‐capillaries containing dye were also observed beneath the esophageal epithelium. If the situation be extrapolated to human anatomy, the results suggest that lymphatic neoplastic metastases may occur even in early cases of carcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastric cardia.