[Anatomy of the lymphangions of the small intestine].

Anatomy of lymphangions (valve segments) has been studied in 120 human and animal cadavers. Methods of investigation were: polychrome injection of arteries, veins and lymphatic bed; macro-microscopic preparation; staining of histopreparations after van Gieson, hematoxylin-eosin, complex technique after A.V. Borisov (1973); impregnation after V.V. Kuprianov (1965); detection of bundle collagene fibers after Mallory and elastic fibers after Weighert. The data collected on the lymphangions demonstrate that the valve segments (lymphangions) in the small intestinal wall appear in phylogenesis at first in birds. Avian lymphangions are cylindric and the valves are of semilunar form and the distance between them is 2--3 cm. In predators (dog, cat, fox, marten) lymphangions are round or conical. Their size is within 6--8 mm. In other animals (rodents, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla) the lymphangions are 3--5 times longer comparing their width. In human ontogenesis the valve segments of the lymph vessels are formed in tela submucosa of the small intestine in 6--7-month-old fetuses. Some other peculiarities in animal and human anatomy of lymphangions have been revealed.