Abstract
1. Pressures have been measured in the thoracic duct of anaesthetized and conscious dogs to ascertain the mean pressures, the nature of the pressure waves and the pressure gradients along the duct and between it and the great veins.
2. The average mean pressure in the thoracic duct of ten anaesthetized dogs was 1·4 mm Hg. The pressure waves were secondary to respiration and the pulsations of the aorta. No waves were transmitted from the great veins.
3. Pressures in conscious dogs varied from day to day, sometimes being positive, sometimes negative. They were increased by panting and by drinking.
4. The pressure gradients along the duct were small, no more than 0·5-2·0 mm Hg along its whole length.
5. No evidence was found of spontaneous contractions of the duct.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Nishimaru Y. Lymphatics and lymph flow. Hiroshima J Med Sci. 1968 Jun;17(2):53–76. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pflug J., Calnan J. The valves of the thoracic duct at the angulus venosus. Br J Surg. 1968 Dec;55(12):911–916. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800551208. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ROSS J. K. A review of the surgery of the thoracic duct. Thorax. 1961 Mar;16:12–21. doi: 10.1136/thx.16.1.12. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SHAFIROFF B. G., KAU Q. Y. Cannulation of the human thoracic lymph duct. Surgery. 1959 May;45(5):814–819. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tilney N. L., Murray J. E. Chronic thoracic duct fistula: operative technic and physiologic effects in man. Ann Surg. 1968 Jan;167(1):1–8. doi: 10.1097/00000658-196801000-00001. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WEBB R. C., Jr, STARZL T. E. The effect of blood vessel pulsations on lymph pressure in large lymphatics. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1953 Dec;93(6):401–407. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]