Distribution of diaphragmatic lymphatic lacunae.

The morphology of the submesothelial lymphatic lacunae on the pleural and peritoneal surface over the tendinous and muscular portion of the diaphragm was studied in 10 anesthetized rabbits. The lymphatic network was evidenced by injecting 1 ml of colloidal carbon solution in the pleural (n = 5) or the peritoneal (n = 5) space. After 1 h of spontaneous breathing, the animal was killed and the diaphragm was fixed in situ by injection of approximately 5 ml of fixative in pleural and peritoneal spaces. Then both cavities were opened and the diaphragm was excised and pinned to a support. According to which cavity had received the injection, the peritoneal or the pleural side of the diaphragm was scanned by sequential imaging of the whole surface by use of a video camera connected to a stereomicroscope and to a video monitor. The anatomic design appeared as a network of lacunae running either parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the tendinous or muscular fibers. The lacunae were more densely distributed on the tendinous peritoneal area than on the pleural one. Scanty lacunae were seen on the muscular regions of both diaphragmatic sides, characterized by large areas without lacunae. The average density of lacunae on tendinous and muscular regions was 6 and 1.7/cm2 for the pleural side and 25 and 3.4/cm2 for the peritoneal side, respectively. The average width of lacunae was 137.9 +/- 1.6 and 108.8 +/- 1.7 microns on the tendinous pleural and the peritoneal side, respectively, and 163 +/- 1.8 microns on the muscular portion of the pleural and peritoneal surfaces.