Anatomical and topographic features of lymphatic outflow of the heart in an Anglo‐Nubian goat

Abstract

The lymphatic system of the heart is directly involved in the spread and development of many pathological processes in animals, particularly neoplasias of various etiologies. Precise knowledge of the lymphatic outflow pathways from the heart gives access to close study of pathogenesis. It allows to actively influence the elimination of the process through preventive and therapeutic measures. In this regard, our study aims to explore the anatomical and topographic features of the lymphatic outflow of the heart in an Anglo‐Nubian goat. The material for the study was fifteen corpses of Anglo‐Nubian goats aged from one to two years. The research methods were thin anatomical preparation, ink‐gelatin perfusion of lymphatic heart vessels, perfusion with Gerota's mass and yellow lead paint, and subsequent radiography of the material under study. It was established that subepicardial lymph nodes collect lymph from the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium. In Anglo‐Nubian goats, the subepicardial lymphatic vessels of the left surface of the left ventricle and the caudal part of the left surface of the right ventricle merge in the sulcus interventricularis paraconalis and sulcus coronarius, forming lymphatic vessels of a higher order. After the fusion of the vessels, the left lymph collector of the heart is formed. It follows the ventral surface of a. pulmonalis, bends around it ventrally or dorsally, and then flows into the left tracheobronchial lymph node. Subepicardial lymphatic vessels of the cranial part of the left surface of the right ventricle and the right surfaces of the right and left ventricles merge in sulcus interventricularis subsinuosus and sulcus coronarius, also forming lymphatic vessels of higher orders named right lymph collector. The vessel passes under auricula dextra, goes to truncus brachiocephalicus, and is guided through it cranially until it flows into the cranial mediastinal lymph node, located in the Anglo‐Nubian goat at the beginning of a. subclavia sinistra. The outflowing lymphatic vessels leave the cranial mediastinal and left tracheobronchial nodes, flow either directly into the thoracic duct or into the common trunk of the mediastinal lymph nodes. The atrial lymphatic vessels of the Anglo‐Nubian goat flow either into the lymphatic vessel of sulcus coronarius or directly into the cranial mediastinal lymph nodes. Thus, according to the results of thу study, it was established that the lymphatic drainage of the heart in a goat of the Anglo‐Nubian breed is carried out in two main ways, dividing into the left and right halves of the heart. Also, according to the research data, in a goat of the Anglo‐Nubian breed, the possibility of varying the outflow of lymph from the atria in two ways was determined.