Lymph vessel
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| Lymph vessel | |
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| Lymph capillaries in the tissue spaces. | |
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| 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
Lymph vessels produce and transport lymph fluid from the tissues to the circulatory system. 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
Bone marrow | Thymus (Hassall's corpuscles) | Spleen (White pulp, Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths, Marginal zone, Red pulp) | Tonsils/Waldeyer's tonsillar ring (Palatine, Lingual, Adenoid)
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue: Gut-associated lymphoid tissue | Peyer's patches
Lymph nodes: Subcapsular sinus | Paracortex | Lymph vessels
Lymph | Lymphocytes | High endothelial venules | Immune system
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