New techniques of demonstrating lymph vessels in skin biopsy specimens and intact skin with the scanning electron microscope

Abstract

Two new methods now allow the systematic examination of the morphology and micropathology of the initial lymphatics (lymph sinuses and precollectors) in human skin biopsy specimens under the scanning electron microscope. Pertinent studies and findings in the intact skin of anesthetized pigs demonstrate the standard quality of the biopsy preparations. The following are new findings made with these methods: in the skin of the human head, both the lymph sinuses and the precollectors extend as far as the epidermis. The opening apparatus of these vessels consists not only of anchoring filaments and interendothelial openings, but also of endothelial bridges and trabeculae. The interendothelial openings can be present in three types of transformation (Type I-III). As part of these studies, an attempt was made to standardize the lymphological nomenclature so that it would be acceptable to both anatomists and clinicians.