title: Lymphatic drainage from the ventricular septum to the atrioventricular node in human beings.
abstract: It has been suggested that intracardiac lymphatics may play a role in the pathophysiologic processes involving the conduction system. To test the possibility of linkage between the ventricular septum and the atrioventricular (AV) node, india ink was injected into the ventricular septum of freshly removed human hearts. Microscopic sections of the AV node and adjacent tissue were examined for the presence of india ink. India ink was seen in and near the AV node in lymphatic channels and small veins. The implication is that potentially noxious materials can be transmitted by lymphatics from remote areas and influence adjacent conduction system fibers. Thus, it is possible that AV conduction disturbances after myocardial infarction may be induced by a lymphatic mechanism.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology