The distribution of lymphatic stomata in the diaphragm of the golden hamster.

Golden hamster diaphragms were observed with both light and electron microscopes to examine the distribution of lymphatic stomata and their morphological features. Lymphatic stomata were present on the inferior surface but absent on the superior surface. This observation was also supported by the results of India ink injection into the peritoneal and pleural cavities. On the inferior surface of the diaphragm, lymphatic stomata tended to form radial rows running from the centre to the periphery; i.e. they were found throughout the muscular and tendinous portions, although the density of their distribution was higher in the latter. Lymphatics and lymphatic lacunae in the tendinous portion were generally smaller than those in the muscular portion. Lymphatic flow into the lymphatics of the tendinous portion seems to be slow, suggesting that lymphatic stomata in the portion may be a functionally inactive reserve.