The deep lymphatic anatomy of the hand.
BACKGROUND
The deep lymphatic anatomy of the hand still remains the least described in medical literature.


METHODS
Eight hands were harvested from four nonembalmed human cadavers amputated above the wrist. A small amount of 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect the lymphatic vessels around the superficial and deep palmar vascular arches, in webs from the index to little fingers, the thenar and hypothenar areas. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the vessels and injected with a barium sulphate compound. Each specimen was dissected, photographed and radiographed to demonstrate deep lymphatic distribution of the hand.


RESULTS
Five groups of deep collecting lymph vessels were found in the hand: superficial palmar arch lymph vessel (SPALV); deep palmar arch lymph vessel (DPALV); thenar lymph vessel (TLV); hypothenar lymph vessel (HTLV); deep finger web lymph vessel (DFWLV). Each group of vessels drained in different directions first, then all turned and ran towards the wrist in different layers.


CONCLUSION
The deep lymphatic drainage of the hand has been presented. The results will provide an anatomical basis for clinical management, educational reference and scientific research.
['Ma|Chuan-Xiang|CX|', 'Pan|Wei-Ren|WR|', 'Liu|Zhi-An|ZA|', 'Zeng|Fan-Qiang|FQ|', 'Qiu|Zhi-Qiang|ZQ|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001466:Barium Sulfate D002102:Cadaver D003287:Contrast Media D005260:Female D005385:Fingers D006225:Hand D006801:Humans D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide D008208:Lymphatic System D042601:Lymphatic Vessels D008297:Male
Hand Superficial palmar arch Deep palmar arch Finger web Deep lymphatic vessels