The Dermal Lymphatic Capillaries

From the preface: "The importance of the lymphatic system has been known for a long time. It was therefore surprising to learn that the status of dermal lymphatics, under both normal and pathological conditions of man, had been largely neglected to date, particularly with respect to their ultrastructure. Moreover, the existing information is incomplete, relating only to narrow segments of the skin, and it is controversial. This monograph represents an effort to overcome some of the existing deficiencies in the area of the structure (with emphasis on ultrastructure) of lymphatic capillaries. It is an account of our experience in the evaluation of dermal lymphatics in normal, edematous, and some other pathological conditions in man and in experimental animals. It is hoped that this information will prove useful for other investigators as a basis for evaluation of the structural and functional status of dermal lymphatics under a wide variety of pathological conditions."

Contents: Materials and Methods.- How to Demonstrate Lymphatic Capillaries.- How to Identify Lymphatic Capillaries.- Morphological Features of the Dermal Lymphatic Capillaries.- The Lymphatic Valve System.- Lymphaticovenous Anastomoses.- Lymph Formation and Lymph Flow.- Function of the Dermal Lymphatic Capillaries.- The Role of Interstitial Proteolysis and Macrophages.- Pharmacology of the Dermal Lymphatic Capillaries.- Inflammatory Conditions.- Mechanism of Transport through the Lymphatic Capillary Wall.- Insufficiency of Lymph Flow.- Forms of Lymphedema.- Tumors of the Dermal Lymphatics.- Lymphovascular Alterations in Different Syndromes Related to Dermatology.- Diabetes mellitus.- Age-Related Changes of Dermal Lymphatics.- Lymphovascular Alterations in Selected Dermatological Diseases.- Lymphangitis.- Treatment of Lymphostatic Edema.- References.- Subject Index.