Lymphatic vessels in the broad ligament of the uterus in swine

Abstract

The lymphatics of the broad ligament were depicted in 24 pigs by multiple interstitial injections of latex into the ovary and subserosa of the mesometrial margin of the uterine horn. Two morphologically different networks of lymphatics emanating from the uterus and ovary were established. Ovarian lymphatics leave the hilus, invariably enter the parovarian plexus, lie superficially under the perimetrium of the mesovarium, and run a parallel course closely intertwined with the blood vessels in this region. Some lymphatics are thus located close to the branches of the ovarian artery and the utero-ovarian vein. Whereas the ovarian and uterine lymphatics in the swine are not directly connected, the uterine lymphatics enter the mesovarium and lie in close proximity to both the ovarian lymphatics and nearby blood vessels.