title: A Method for Making a Lymphatic Specimen of the Dorsum of the Hand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To make a lymphatic specimen of the dorsum of the hand for educational and clinical purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of four hands from two unembalmed human cadavers were used. Under a surgical microscope, 6% hydrogen peroxide was employed to detect the lymphatic vessels commencing from fingers. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into vessels and injected with a barium sulphate mixture. Each specimen was radiographed, photographed, and dissected to demonstrate the lymphatic vessels on the dorsum of the hand. After being embalmed in 4% formalin for 3 months, specimen was then sealed in a plexiglass container for display.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An average of sixteen lymph collecting vessels were found in the subcutaneous tissue of the dorsum of the hand. The diameter of the vessels varied from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. Vessels were the continuation of lymph vessels arising from fingers. They travelled meanderingly in the subcutaneous tissue and traversed over or under the veins when they met.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Actual and accurate lymphatic distributions of the dorsum of the hand have been described and displayed. The information upgrades our anatomical knowledge and the results will be of benefit for the lymphatic education and clinical application.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Xuzhou Medical College , Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China .
authors.forename: Wei-Ren
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Xuzhou Medical College , Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China .
authors.forename: Fan-Qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Anatomy, Xuzhou Medical College , Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China .
authors.forename: Deguang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology, Dongfang Hospital , Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China .
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D005557:Formaldehyde