The lymphatic system of Dasypus novemcinctus and Dasypus sexcinctus

The lymphatic system of 40 specimens of Dasypus novemcinctus and 5 of Dasypus sexcinctus , both found in Brazil, were injected with Prussian blue suspension, neoprene latex (followed by partial corrosion). Lymphangioradiographic study was also made. The data concern the lymph nodes, the lymphatic networks, vessels and main trunks. The main features are the following: a few lymph nodes were missing (popliteal, subpubic and ischial); the superficial jugular ll.nn. predominate on the deep ones; the dorsal mediastinal ll.nn. are well developed; a mesentericocolic plexus is formed by the many anastomoses among the mesenteric and cecocolic ll.nn.; at regular intervals there is a concentration of vessels in the submucous network of the small intestine; the submucous network of the colon shows parallel lamellar lymphatic vessels; the mucous‐submucous networks are usually independent from the subserous‐muscular ones; there are two types of lymphatic networks alternating along the duodenum; folliculi lymphatici aggregati are absent; the lymphatic vessels run in the mesentery independently from the blood vessels; the mesenteric lymphatic vessels present many valves; the vessels from the diaphragm terminate directly in the cisterna chyli; there is a multipolarity of the abdominal lymphatic circulation, i.e., each organ has its own lymphatic tr.