CIRCULAR DlSTURliANCES. 1.17 



LYAIPHORRHAGIA. 

 DEFINITION. 



(Extent of lymphatic system). 



(Lymph traiisdute qiiaiititv determined by blood hrcssiire) 

 ETIOLOGY. 



Ruptured vessel or space. 

 LOCATION. 



Surface, because of lymph spaces and loio p 'cssnre. 



Thoracic duct. 

 APPEARANCE. 



Macroscopic. 



Microscopic. 

 EFFECTS. 



Lymphorrhag-ia is the escape of lymph from ruptured 

 lymphatic vessels. The lympathic system in general is tlie con- 

 necting system between the blond capillaries and the jugular 

 vein. In this system lymph is that portion of the blood which 

 passes, through (or is secreted by), the capillary walls intri the 

 perivascular spaces and consists nf plasma diluted, leucncvtes 

 and usualh- contains consideral)le waste material. I,\'niph 

 varies in its composition depending upon the si)urce, locati^ n 

 and condition nf the surrounding tissue. The lymph of the 

 lacteal system depends up<in the kind of food-material di- 

 gested and the length of time since its ingestion. 



Etiology. — Lymjjhorragia is the result of laceration i 'r 

 rupture of the hunphatic channels. Because of the low pressure 

 within the lymphatic vessels, lymphorrhagia takes place only 

 upon surfaces or into the body cavities. Lymphorrhagia ontci a 

 surface, if long continued, results in the so-called lymphatic 

 fistula. Rupture of the abdominal portion of the thoracic duct 

 accompanied bv the escape of its crmtents into the peritoneal 

 cavity produces the condition known as chylous ascites. 



Chylous ascites is differentiated from abdominal dropsy or 

 ascites proper by examination of the accumulated fluid. The 

 fluid of chylous ascites and lacteal fluid are practically identical 

 in composition. Ascitic fluid proper is diluted lymph and con- 

 tains no evidence of chyle or lacteal fluid. Lymphorrhagia may 

 also occur into the pleural cavity as a result of the rupture of 

 the thoracic portion of the thoracic duct. 



The effects of lymphorrhagia depend upon the extent, loca- 

 tion and len-g-th of duration of the process. Extensive lymph- 

 orrhagia from a large lymphatic vessel depletes the l>ody be- 

 causeof the loss of food substances, albumin, etc.. in the lymph. 

 Lymphorrhagia from the thoracic duct, especially into the 

 peritoneal cavity, is serious because of the loss of food. 



