The discovery of the lymphatic system in the seventeenth century. Part VI: the microscopic discovery of the subtle anatomy

Abstract

The discovery of chyle and lymph vessels had furthered the dream of understanding the body’s structure and functions. Initially it was thought that chyle was sucked from the intestines through the open mouths of chyle vessels, and that lymph vessels were side branches of arterial end branches. In the second half of the 17th century, microscopy became an adjuvant for research into the subtle anatomy of the lymphatic system. In the present paper, we will focus on its initial use for the study of the structure and function of chyle and lymph vessels, and lymph glands.

Keywords:

• Lymphatic system
• microscopy
• Malpighi
• Stensen
• Nuck
• van Leeuwenhoek

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).