Uterine Structure and Lymphatics

Liquid plastic injected into various portions of the parenchyma of the uterus and its adnexa apparently entered preformed tissue spaces. After the plastic hardened, the tissues were digested, releasing a cast of the spaces in the tissues. In the subendometrial corpus the plastic formed longitudinal furrows which appeared to have enclosed muscle bundles. Braided structures were formed in the mid-myometrium. Excess plastic drained into and filled the lymphatic vessels of the broad ligament. Injections of plastic of different colors into various segments of the uterus indicated the presence of several discrete compartments. The corpus and isthmus each consisted of four compartments, separated at the midline and sagittally. The cervix was separated into anterior and posterior compartments. Other compartments observed with this technic include myomas, fallopian tubes, etc. Each compartment has its own lymphatic system. This approach offers a new means for the study of the anatomic and functional arrangements of the uterus.