The bicuspid nature of the valves of the peripheral collecting lymphatic vessels of the dog.

A controversy presently exists about the structure of lymphatic valves, the bicuspid structure vs. the funnel-like architechture. This present study, along with a review of the literature was undertaken in an attempt to clarify this controversy. Twenty lymphatic valves from the collecting lymphatic channels draining the back paw region in four dogs were examined and several were photographed. The bicuspid nature and the three dimensional anatomy of these valves is clearly demonstrated.