Lymphatics of the floor of the mouth and neck: anatomical studies related to contralateral drainage pathways.

An anatomical study was made to determine the role of the regional lymphatic drainage pathways in contralateral flow from the floor of the mouth in the dog. Microsurgical techniques were used to cannulate and perfuse a lymphatic vessel. Following a two hour infusion, bilateral radical neck dissections were performed. An efferent upper jugular communicating pathway was repeatedly identified which crossed the midline and drained into the contralateral subdigastric group of nodes. These studies demonstrate a precise role for the regional lymphatic drainage pathways in contralateral flow from the floor of the mouth.