Some relations of the lymphatic system to surgery of the mouth and jaws

Abstract

1. 1. Some important relations of the lymphatic system to surgery of the mouth and jaws are presented in a brief, organized form. 2. 2. Lymphatic vessels are largely concerned with the absorption of insoluble interstitial particles by phagocytosis, colloid material, and extravascular protein material which is not normally taken up by blood capillaries. 3. 3. The walls of lymph capillaries are permeable to foreign substances of microscopic dimensions. 4. 4. Some factors determining and controlling the flow of lymph appear to be arterial and capillary blood pressure, gravity, kinetic movement, and intermittent massage. 5. 5. Blockage of lymphatic vessels produces a condition known as lymphedema; blockage may be produced by trauma, physical or chemical agents, infections, and inflammation. 6. 6. Lymph vessels have a high degree of regenerative power. 7. 7. It is believed that local lymphatic blockage as produced in acute surgical inflammation helps in isolating the lesion and protects the body from dissemination of the infection. 8. 8. It has been suggested that the lymphatic system plays an important role in maintaining the blood plasma level and aids in the process of rapid wound healing by reinforcement of plasma proteins which is necessary for the reparative process. 9. 9. The cellular content of lymph consists almost entirely of lymphocytes, and the lymphocytic content of the blood normally remains constant except for certain hourly fluctuations but does not remain in the blood stream for more than about twelve hours. 10. 10. The anatomy of the deep and superficial lymphatic system is presented as related to the mouth and jaws. 11. 11. Some common oral surgical causes of lymph node enlargement are presented with a view toward differential diagnosis of other camouflaging diseases.