[Wall structure of cisterna chyli in humans studied by light and scanning electron microscopy]

Comparing light and scanning electron microscopy of a chronically lymphostatic and two normal cisternae chyli made visible a normally folded and smoothened (under load) cisternal wall. Different orifices of the supplying lymph-collecting vessels with varying valve structures were seen. The functional meaning of the orifice types and of the valves for the uptake of lymph and chylus into the cisterna as well as for the blockage of lymphatic reflux out of the filled cisterna were discussed.