Anatomy, pathophysiology and assessment of upper-body lymphoedema

Sandi Davis; Suzie Ehmann; Brandy McKeown; Neil Piller; Joseph Dayan; Hiroo Suami; Justine C. Whitaker; Karen J. Bock

doi:10.12968/jowc.2025.34.S11c.S5

Anatomy, pathophysiology and assessment of upper-body lymphoedema

Sandi Davis
, Suzie Ehmann
, Brandy McKeown
, Neil Piller
, Joseph Dayan
, Hiroo Suami
, Justine C. Whitaker
, Karen J. Bock

College of Medicine and Public Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article reviews the lymphatic system's anatomy and physiology, as well as the etiology of lymphoedema affecting the upper limbs, breast and trunk. It presents evidence-based strategies for assessment, including history-taking, physical exams and clinical tests to guide treatment planning. The importance of selecting personalised compression garments is emphasised. Legislative impacts - such as the US 2024 Lymphedema Treatment Act - and global variability in compression therapy funding are explored, along with nuanced approaches to assessment, staging and diagnostic criteria..

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	S5-S18
Number of pages	14
Journal	Journal of Wound Care
Volume	34
Issue number	S11c
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2025.34.S11c.S5
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2025

Keywords

Assessment and diagnosis
Breast and trunk lymphoedema
Comorbidities
Compression therapy
ICG lymphography
Lymphatic anatomy
Lymphatic drainage
Lymphoedema
Pathophysiology
STRIDE framework

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10.12968/jowc.2025.34.S11c.S5Licence: In Copyright

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abstract = "This article reviews the lymphatic system's anatomy and physiology, as well as the etiology of lymphoedema affecting the upper limbs, breast and trunk. It presents evidence-based strategies for assessment, including history-taking, physical exams and clinical tests to guide treatment planning. The importance of selecting personalised compression garments is emphasised. Legislative impacts - such as the US 2024 Lymphedema Treatment Act - and global variability in compression therapy funding are explored, along with nuanced approaches to assessment, staging and diagnostic criteria..",

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AU - Davis, Sandi

AU - Ehmann, Suzie

AU - McKeown, Brandy

AU - Piller, Neil

AU - Dayan, Joseph

AU - Suami, Hiroo

AU - Whitaker, Justine C.

AU - Bock, Karen J.

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AB - This article reviews the lymphatic system's anatomy and physiology, as well as the etiology of lymphoedema affecting the upper limbs, breast and trunk. It presents evidence-based strategies for assessment, including history-taking, physical exams and clinical tests to guide treatment planning. The importance of selecting personalised compression garments is emphasised. Legislative impacts - such as the US 2024 Lymphedema Treatment Act - and global variability in compression therapy funding are explored, along with nuanced approaches to assessment, staging and diagnostic criteria..

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KW - Breast and trunk lymphoedema

KW - Comorbidities

KW - Compression therapy

KW - ICG lymphography

KW - Lymphatic anatomy

KW - Lymphatic drainage

KW - Lymphoedema

KW - Pathophysiology

KW - STRIDE framework

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IS - S11c

ER -

Anatomy, pathophysiology and assessment of upper-body lymphoedema

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Keywords

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