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| Lymphatic vessel | |
|---|---|
 Lymph capillaries in the tissue spaces | |
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| Details | |
| System | Lymphatic system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vas lymphaticum |
| MeSH | D042601 |
| TA98 | A12.0.00.038 |
| TA2 | 3915 |
| TH | H3.09.02.0.05001 |
| FMA | 30315 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thelymphatic vessels (orlymph vessels orlymphatics) are thin-walled vessels (tubes), structured likeblood vessels, that carrylymph. As part of thelymphatic system, lymph vessels are complementary to thecardiovascular system. Lymph vessels are lined byendothelial cells, and have a thin layer ofsmooth muscle, andadventitia that binds the lymph vessels to the surrounding tissue. Lymph vessels are devoted to thepropulsion of the lymph from thelymph capillaries, which are mainly concerned with the absorption ofinterstitial fluid from the tissues. Lymph capillaries are slightly bigger than their counterpartcapillaries of the vascular system. Lymph vessels that carry lymph to alymph node are called afferent lymph vessels, and those that carry it from a lymph node are called efferent lymph vessels, from where the lymph may travel to another lymph node, may be returned to a vein, or may travel to a largerlymph duct. Lymph ducts drain the lymph into one of thesubclavian veins and thus return it to generalcirculation.
The vessels that bring lymph away from the tissues and towards the lymph nodes can be classified asafferent vessels. These afferent vessels then drain into the subcapsular sinus.[1] Theefferent vessels that bring lymph from the lymphatic organs to the nodes bringing the lymph to the right lymphatic duct or the thoracic duct, the largest lymph vessel in the body. These vessels drain into the right and left subclavian veins, respectively. There are far more afferent vessels bringing in lymph than efferent vessels taking it out to allow for lymphocytes and macrophages to fulfill their immune support functions. The lymphatic vessels contain valves.
The general structure of lymphatics is based on that ofblood vessels. There is an inner lining of single flattened epithelial cells (simple squamous epithelium) composed of a type ofepithelium that is called theendothelium, and the cells are calledendothelial cells. This layer functions to mechanically transport fluid and since thebasement membrane on which it rests is discontinuous; it leaks easily.[2] The next layer is that ofsmooth muscles that are arranged in a circular fashion around the endothelium, which by shortening (contracting) or relaxing alter the diameter (caliber) of thelumen. The outermost layer is theadventitia which consists of fibrous tissue. The general structure described here is seen only in larger lymphatics; smaller lymphatics have fewer layers. The smallest vessels (lymphatic orlymph capillaries) lack both the muscular layer and the outer adventitia. As they proceed forward and in their course are joined by other capillaries, they grow larger and first take on an adventitia, and then smooth muscles.
The lymphatic conducting system broadly consists of two types of channels—theinitial lymphatics, theprelymphatics orlymph capillaries that specialize in collection of the lymph from the interstital fluid, and the largerlymph vessels that propel the lymph forward.
Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system is not closed and has no central pump. Lymph movement occurs despite low pressure due toperistalsis (propulsion of the lymph due to alternate contraction and relaxation ofsmooth muscle), valves, and compression during contraction of adjacent skeletal muscle andarterialpulsation.[3]
The lymphatic circulation begins with blind ending (closed at one end) highly permeable superficial lymph capillaries, formed by endothelial cells with button-like junctions between them that allow fluid to pass through them when the interstitial pressure is sufficiently high.[4] These button-like junctions consist ofprotein filaments likeplatelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, or PECAM-1. A valve system in place here prevents the absorbed lymph from leaking back into the interstital fluid. This valve system involves collagen fibers attached to lymphatic endothelial cells that respond to increased interstitial fluid pressure by separating the endothelial cells and allowing the flow of lymph into the capillary for circulation.[5] There is another system of semilunar valves that prevents back-flow of lymph along the lumen of the vessel.[4] Lymph capillaries have many interconnections (anastomoses) between them and form a very fine network.[6]
Rhythmic contraction of the vessel walls through movements may also help draw fluid into the smallest lymphatic vessels,capillaries. If tissue fluid builds up the tissue will swell; this is callededema. As the circular path through the body's system continues, the fluid is then transported to progressively larger lymphatic vessels culminating in theright lymphatic duct (for lymph from the right upper body) and thethoracic duct (for the rest of the body); both ductsdrain into the circulatory system at the right and leftsubclavian veins. The system collaborates with white blood cells in lymph nodes to protect the body from being infected by cancer cells, fungi, viruses or bacteria. This is known as a secondary circulatory system.
The lymph capillaries drain into largercollecting lymphatics. These arecontractile lymphatics which transport lymph using a combination of smooth muscle walls, which contract to assist in transporting lymph, as well as valves to prevent the lymph from flowing backwards.[3] As the collecting lymph vessel accumulates lymph from more and more lymph capillaries along its length, it becomes larger and eventually becomes anafferent lymph vessel as it enters a lymphs node. The lymph percolates through the lymph node tissue and exits via anefferent lymph vessel. An efferent lymph vessel may directly drain into one of the (right orthoracic) lymph ducts, or may empty into another lymph node as its afferent lymph vessel.[6] Both the lymph ducts return the lymph to the blood stream by emptying into thesubclavian veins
Lymph vessels consist of functional units known aslymphangions which are segments separated by semilunar valves. These segments propel or resist the flow of lymph by the contraction of the encircling smooth muscle depending upon the ratio of its length to its radius.[7]
Lymph vessels act as reservoirs for plasma and other substances including cells that have leaked from the vascular system and transport lymph fluid back from the tissues to the circulatory system. Without functioning lymph vessels, lymph cannot be effectively drained andlymphedema typically results.
Theafferent lymph vessels enter at all parts of the periphery of thelymph node, and after branching and forming a dense plexus in the substance of the capsule, open into thelymph sinuses of thecortical part. It carries unfiltered lymph into the node. In doing this they lose all their coats except theirendothelial lining, which is continuous with a layer of similar cells lining the lymph paths.
Afferent lymphatic vessels are only found in lymph nodes. This is in contrast to efferent lymphatic vessel which are also found in thethymus andspleen.
Theefferent lymphatic vessel commences from thelymph sinuses of themedullary portion of the lymph nodes and leave the lymph nodes at the hilum, either to veins or greater nodes. It carries filtered lymph out of the node.
Efferent lymphatic vessels are also found in association with the thymus andspleen. This is in contrast to afferent lymphatic vessels, which are found only in association with lymph nodes.
Lymphedema is the swelling of tissues due to insufficient fluid drainage by the lymphatic vessels. It can be the result from absent, underdeveloped or dysfunctional lymphatic vessels. In hereditary (or primary) lymphedema, the lymphatic vessels are absent, underdeveloped or dysfunctional due to genetic causes. In acquired (or secondary) lymphedema, the lymphatic vessels are damaged by injury or infection.[8][9]Lymphangiomatosis is a disease involving multiple cysts or lesions formed from lymphatic vessels.
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