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provide new types of lymphatic images. Physicians need to be able to interpret these images accurately
to specify the pathology of lymphatic dysfunction, and anatomical study of the lymphatics is essential to
provide the required baseline information.

CONCLUSION
This paper focuses on the techniques that have enabled anatomists to investigate the lymphatic system in
cadavers over the past several hundred years. Mercury injection was the mainstay of lymphatic study for
many years and our current knowledge still largely depends on findings from more than 100 years ago.
New imaging techniques are being developed in the clinical setting, and anatomical research needs to be
updated to incorporate these new techniques to provide further information about the lymphatic system.

DECLARATIONS
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Philippa Sutton for editorial assistance with the preparation of this article.

Authors’ contributions
Study concept and data acquisition: Suami H
Data interpretation and manuscript drafting: Suami H, Shinaoka A

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019.

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