Studies on mammary gland lymph in relation to the secretion and resolution of milk

Abstract

In recently published text-books on lymphatics (cf. Yoffey and Courtice, 1956; Rusznyäk, Foldi and Szabo, 1960) no mention is made of mammary lymph or lymphatics. Moreover, Linzell (1959) emphasizes in a review article "Physiology of the Mammary Glands”, that there are no published figures on the flow and composition of mammary lymph. Nothing has been published on the mechanism of removal of milk constituents from the mammary gland or on the role of the lymphatics in this process.The interpretation of the results described in this thesis relate to the physiology of tissue fluid and lymph. It has also been necessary to appreciate the variations which may occur in the disposition of the lymphatics of the mammary gland and the routes by which lymph drains from it. For these reasons, the introduction includes a review of certain aspects of the physiology of the lymphatic system and a description of the anatomy of the lymphatic system of the udder.