Three-dimensional reconstruction of lymphatics using a crown-rump length 30 mm human fetus

Few lymphatic morphological studies have been conducted to describe human development compared to the number of vascular studies. In this study, serial sections from a 30-mm human fetus were used to observe the differentiation of the lymphatics and blood vessels through D2-40 immunohistochemical staining and three-dimensional reconstruction to reflect the morphological characteristics. We found a connection between the lymphatics of the left jugular lymph sac flowing into the left brachiocephalic vein but not between the thoracic duct (TD) and left venous angle. We found a lymphatic plexus in the sacral region, which was located between L4 and S1. Moreover, a pair of paravertebral longitudinal lymphatics originated near the CC and collected lymphatics that accompanied the posterior intercostal blood vessels and finally flowed into the TD. The left lymphatics had a slightly greater advantage than that of the right lymphatics. In contrast, the venous system on the right had a greater advantage than that on the left. In addition, a pair of paravertebral longitudinal lymphatics may have been described as the thoracic duct.