[Conceptions on the structural organization of the active lymph flow between the neighboring lymphangions]

This review describes the history and the current state of the problem of the structural basis of the active lymph outflow from the organs in man and other mammals and the role of lymphatic valves in its organization. Until now, only muscular connection between the distal valve and lymphangion proximal muscular cuff, which helps the valve to limit the lymph backflow, was examined. However, different muscular connections were shown to exist between the valve and the muscular cuffs of the neighboring lymphangions, as well as direct muscular connections of their cuffs. These data support the assumption of the different variants of neighboring lymphangions contraction, both separate and combined, and of the coordination of active motions of the valves and the muscular cuffs.