Lymphatic drainage of the external ear.
BACKGROUND
Lymphoscintigraphy reveals inconsistencies in our knowledge of the lymphatic anatomy of the external ear.


METHODS
Fifteen external ears from 9 unembalmed human cadavers were studied. Six percent hydrogen peroxide was used to find the lymphatic vessels using a surgical microscope. They were injected with a radio-opaque mixture, dissected, photographed, and radiographed to demonstrate lymphatic vessels in the tissue. Final results were transferred to the computer for analysis.


RESULTS
Four groups of lymph collecting vessels were found. The anterior branch, in all specimens, drained directly or indirectly (having merged with a vessel descending from the scalp) into the preauricular lymph nodes. The superior, middle, and inferior (lobule) branches drained to their multiple first tier lymph nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
An accurate lymphatic map of the external ear is described to upgrade our anatomic knowledge. It will be of benefit for the clinical management of malignancies in this region.
Pan
Wei-Ren
WR
The Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. w.pan@unimelb.edu.au
le Roux
Cara Michelle
CM
Levy
Sidney M
SM
Briggs
Christopher A
CA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D004431:Ear, External / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male