Lymphatics of the heart
Learning outcomes
Working through this study unit will allow you to:
- Learn about the main lymphatic vessels of the heart.
- Identify the lymph nodes associated with the lymphatic drainage of the heart.
Watch video
Like the other organs in our body, the heart also needs to have interstitial fluid drained from its tissues. Small lymphatic vessels of the heart form three plexuses: the subendocardiac plexus, the myocardiac plexus and the subepicardiac plexus. The subendocardiac and myocardiac plexus drain into the subepicardiac plexus, which in turn gives rise to the right and left coronary lymphatic trunks (or cardiac collecting trunks) which drain the right and left sides of the heart, respectively.
Curious about the lymphatic drainage of the heart? Check our video below to know more about this topic!
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Browse atlas
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Take a closer look at the lymph nodes and vessels of the heart in the gallery below.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/truncus-coronarius-dexter/L3DN585Zv8YLuYj5Uynmw_truncus-coronarius-dexter.jpg "Right coronary lymphatic trunk (Truncus lymphaticus coronarius dexter); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nodi-lymphoidei-brachiocephalici-2/5zRyKM4s6nHlKNhIHaTw_nodi-lymphoidei-brachiocephalici-2.jpg "Brachiocephalic lymph nodes (Nodi lymphoidei brachiocephalici); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/truncus-coronarius-sinister/dKcILbg3OOQZgdfBG5wQ_truncus-coronarius-sinister.jpg "Left coronary lymphatic trunk (Truncus lymphaticus coronarius sinister); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nodi-lymphoidei-tracheobronchiales-inferiores-2/ye8HOygb09QShc8jlwRUg_nodi-lymphoidei-tracheobronchiales-inferiores-2.jpg "Inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes (Nodi lymphoidei tracheobronchiales inferiores); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Lymphatic plexuses of the heart |
Subendocardiac plexus: Drains into subepicardial plexus Myocardiac plexus: Drains into subepicardial plexus Subepicardiac plexus: Efferents form the right and left coronary trunks |
| Right coronary trunk |
Drains: Right atrium, right border of heart and inferior (diaphragmatic) surface of right ventricle Empties into: Brachiocephalic lymph nodes (usually on the left) → thoracic duct |
| Left coronary trunk |
Drains: Regions of right and left ventricles around anterior interventricular groove, as well as inferior (diaphragmatic) surface of left ventricle Empties into: Inferior tracheobronchial lymph nodes → right lymphatic duct |
Well done!
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