title: [Lymphatic system: Anatomy, histology and physiology].
abstract: Our knowledge of the anatomy of the lymphatic system may have changed little, if at all, since the first descriptions of this system in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the identification of specific markers of lymphatic endothelial cells and of some of the genes involved in the occurrence of lymphoedema in humans has revolutionized our understanding. This article provides an overview of current fundamental knowledge relating to lymphoedema based on both the historical anatomy description and the most recent data about lymphangiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: CHU Saint-Éloi, université de Montpellier I, centre de compétence maladies lymphatiques constitutionnelles, service de médecine vasculaire, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France. i-quere@chu-montpellier.fr
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Quéré
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008196:Lymph / Q000502:physiology; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011247:Pregnancy