Relationship between lymphatic and venous pressure in leg of dog

¹ Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

In resting, anesthetized dogs the lymphatic pressure has a value close to, but a little below, peripheral venous pressure. Contrary to previous observations the lymphatic pressure in the resting hind leg is measurable and even small fluctuations in pressure can be detected with the techniques employed. Changes in peripheral lymphatic and venous pressures are neither simultaneous nor equal. Even large changes of pressure in one system were not reflected in the other. A definite rise in lymphatic pressure was observed during spontaneous muscle movements. Fluctuation in lymphatic pressure was recorded during normal and forced abdominal respiration.