Abstract: Objective To investigate the morphology of the lymph vessels in human gastric carcinoma tissues and the relationship to cancer metastasis. Methods Morphological changes of the lymph vessels and capillaries in 32 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissue of the tumor. Results Numerous lymph vessels and capillaries were seen with opened lumen in the adjacent tissues of the tumor,and fasciculated lymph capillaries were most frequent in gastric carcinoma.The maximal lumen area,perimeter and diameter of lymph vessels and capillaries in gastric carcinoma and the adjacent tissues were significantly different between metastatic group and non-metastatic group (P<0.05). Conclusions Dilation of lymph vessels and capillaries due to interstitial edema of the adjacent tissues of gastric carcinoma facilitates tumor metastasis,and lymph metastasis of carcinoma cells occurs through mature lymph capillaries in the adjacent tissues.