The lymphatic drainage of the liver capsula and hepatic parenchyma

Summary

The lymphatics transport of bilirubin and of¹³¹I-albumin absorbed from the liver capsula was studied in dogs during the early stage of complete biliary obstruction. Bilirubin transport by the right lymph trunc was only 1,5% of the transport by the thoracic duct. Labelled protein absorbed from the Glisson's capsule is transported both by the right lymph duct and the thoracic duct. During an infusion of large amounts of fluid under high pressure into the bile duct labelled protein is transported from the liver parenchyma almost exclusively by the thoracic duct. After the occlusion of about 70% of the lymphatics draining the liver the increase in the transport of the labelled protein by the right duct accounted only for on insignificant fraction of the loss from the thoracic duct lymph. It is concluded, that lymph formed in the hepatic parenchyma is transported by vessels joining the thoracic duct. Capsular lymphatics run both to the thoracic and the right lymph duct. There is practically a complete functional division of the superficial and deep lymphatics of the liver.