Document Detail


Lymph circulation in the liver.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18484610     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The liver produces a large amount of lymph, which is estimated to be 25 to 50 % of lymph flowing through the thoracic duct. The hepatic lymphatic system falls into three categories depending on their locations: portal, sublobular, and superficial lymphatic vessels. It is suggested that 80 % or more of hepatic lymph drains into portal lymphatic vessels, while the remainder drains through sublobular and capsular lymphatic vessels. The hepatic lymph primarily comes from the hepatic sinusoids. Our tracer studies, together with electron microscopy, show many channels with collagen fibers traversing through the limiting plate and connecting the space of Disse with the interstitial space either in the portal tracts, or around the sublobular veins. Fluid filtered out of the sinusoids into the space of Disse flows through the channels traversing the limiting plate either independently of blood vessels or along blood vessels and enters the interstitial space of either portal tract or sublobular veins. Fluid in the space of Disse also flows through similar channels traversing the hepatocytes intervening between the space of Disse and the hepatic capsule and drains into the interstitial space of the capsule. Fluid and migrating cells in the interstitial space pass through prelymphatic vessels to finally enter the lymphatic vessels. The area of the portal lymphatic vessels increases in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and in idiopathic portal hypertension. Lymphatic vessels are abundant in the immediate vicinity of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastasis. HCCs expressing vascular endothelial growth factor-C are more liable to metastasize, indicating that lymphangiogenesis is associated with their enhanced metastasis.
Authors:
Osamu Ohtani; Yuko Ohtani
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)     Volume:  291     ISSN:  1932-8494     ISO Abbreviation:  Anat Rec (Hoboken)     Publication Date:  2008 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-05-22     Completed Date:  2008-06-27     Revised Date:  2009-12-16    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101292775     Medline TA:  Anat Rec (Hoboken)     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  643-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. osmotani@med.u-toyama.ac.jp
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Blood Cells / physiology
Blood Vessels / anatomy & histology,  physiology
Cell Movement
Corrosion Casting
Humans
Liver / anatomy & histology*,  blood supply,  physiology*
Liver Diseases / pathology
Lymph / physiology*
Lymphatic Vessels / anatomy & histology*,  physiology*
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Rabbits
Rats

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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