Francais | English | Espanõl

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lymph vessel
Image:Illu lymph capillary.jpg
Lymph capillaries in the tissue spaces.
Image:Gray599.png
The thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct.

In anatomy, lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph. As part of the lymphatic system, lymph vessels are complimentary with the vascular system. In contrast to the vascular system, which carries blood under pressure to the entire body, lymph is not under pressure and is propelled in a passive fashion, assisted by the aforementioned valves. Fluid that leaks from the vascular system is returned to general circulation via lymphatic vessels.

Generally, lymph flows away from the tissues to lymph nodes and eventually to either the right lymphatic duct or the largest lymph vessel in the body, the thoracic duct. These vessels drain into the right and left subclavian veins respectively.

[edit] Function

Without functioning lymph vessels, lymph cannot be effectively drained and edema typically results.

[edit] Additional images

Lymphatic system

Section across portal canal of pig. X 250.

[edit] External links

• MeSH Lymphatic+Vessels
• Bioweb at UWLAX Efferent lymph vessel

v • d • e</span>  Lymphatic system

Bone marrow | Thymus (Hassall's corpuscles) | Spleen (White pulp, Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths, Marginal zone, Red pulp) | Tonsils (Palatine, Lingual, Adenoid) Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue: Gut-associated lymphoid tissue | Peyer's patches Lymph nodes: Cervical lymph nodes | Common iliac lymph nodes Deep inguinal lymph nodes | External iliac lymph nodes | Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes | Internal iliac lymph nodes | Lateral aortic lymph nodes | Paraaortic lymph node | Preaortic lymph nodes | Paratracheal chain | Retroaortic lymph nodes | Sentinel lymph node | Superficial inguinal lymph nodes | Virchow's node Lymph vessels: Thoracic duct | Right lymphatic duct | Cisterna chyli  | Lumbar trunk | Intestinal trunk Lymph | Lymphocytes | Immune system

de:Lymphozyten eo:Limfocito es:Vaso linfático fr:Vaisseau lymphatique tr:Lenf damarı zh-cn:淋巴细胞