THE LYMPH-DRAINAGE OF THE MAMMARY-GLANDS IN THE BITCH - A LYMPHOGRAPHIC STUDY .1. THE 1ST, 2ND, 4TH AND 5TH MAMMARY-GLANDS

The objective of this paper was to study the lymph drainage of the 1st , 2nd, 4th and 5th mammary glands in the bitch using indirect lymphogr aphy. The main conclusions drawn after the study of 67 normal lactatin g mongrel bitches were as follows: lymph drains from the first gland, usually to the axillary nodes, and, in few cases, to the axillary and superficial cervical nodes simultaneously. The second gland drains to the axillary nodes. The fourth gland usually drains to the superficial inguinal nodes, but it may, rarely, drain to the superficial inguinal and medial iliac nodes simultaneously. The fifth gland drains to the superficial inguinal nodes. Lymphatic connection between the mammary g lands could not be demonstrated. Furthermore, it was confirmed that ly mph can pass from one gland to another, through their common regional lymph nodes, by retrograde flow. It was demonstrated that there is a c onnection between the superficial inguinal lymph nodes from either sid e. It is suggested that lymphatic connection between the axillary and sternal nodes and between the axillary and bronchial nodes should be p ossible in some cases. Lymphatics of the mammary glands that cross the midline were not demonstrated.