[Open lymph vessels of the ligamentum falciforme hepatis in the human]

The falciform ligament and the ligamentum teres of the liver are the so-called ventral mesohepaticum. These ligaments are covered on both sides by one layer of mesothelial cells and consist of a dense network of lymphatic capillaries. Preparations of semithin sections were examined light microscopically, ultrathin sections by means of transmission electron microscopy and gold sputtered surface preparations by scanning electron microscopy. It could be shown for the first time that in the mesothelial cell surface there are so-called "stomata", holes which are considered to be connections between the peritoneal cavity and lymphatic capillaries. This network of lymphatics is able to rapidly absorb fluids and particles like blood cells. The knowledge of localisation, structure and function of the submesothelial lymphatic system is of high importance for surgical processing, because in most infections and tumor diseases it is also affected.