The lymphatic drainage of the left ventricle in the Yucatan minipig

The gross anatomy of the cardiac lymphatic system draining the left ventricle was studied in 15 Yucatan minipigs and 2 regular swine. The findings confirm that the drainage pathways are similar to those of man and dog. After a coloring marker is injected near the apex of the left ventricle, one or more lymphatics are seen to ascend towards the left atrial appendage. Where there is more than one ascending lymphatic, they typically join before or at the left atrial appendage. This principal lymphatic then passes beneath the appendage and travels behind (dorsal to) the pulmonary artery and aorta to the right side of the mediastinum. From here, the lymphatic passes cephalad along the left border of the superior vena cava to enter the cardiac lymph node between the superior vena cava and the trachea.