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Lymphatic Vessels - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 14:33, 22 July 2008
, 14:33, 22 July 2008→Structure
<p>The capillaries feed into larger vessels called lympathic vessels and these have smooth muscle their walls and they pass through lymph nodes. These vessels eventually feed into two large ducts, the thoracic and the tracheal, which empty into the jugular veins. The thoracic duct empties into the veins of the left side while the tracheal to those on the right.</p>
<p>The capillaries feed into larger vessels called lympathic vessels and these have smooth muscle their walls and they pass through lymph nodes. These vessels eventually feed into two large ducts, the thoracic and the tracheal, which empty into the jugular veins. The thoracic duct empties into the veins of the left side while the tracheal to those on the right.</p>
<p>The smaller vessels generally travel with blood vessels and nerves. Valves in the vessels prevent back flow and keep the flow of lymph unidirectional. As there is no central pump the movement of lymph is largely dependant on skeletal muscular activity.</p>
<p>The smaller vessels generally travel with blood vessels and nerves. Valves in the vessels prevent back flow and keep the flow of lymph unidirectional. As there is no central pump the movement of lymph is largely dependant on skeletal muscular activity.</p>
===Tracheal duct===
<p>The tracheal ducts are paired and originate from the retropharyngeal nodes (except horse) of the head. They run along the trachea before emptying into the thoracic and right lymphatic ducts or may empty directly into the jugular veins.</p>
===Thoracic duct===
<p>Originating from the cistern chyli it passes through the aortic hiatus, travelling cranially through the mediastinum and along the left side of the trachea until it empties into the cranial vena cava or commonly the left jugular vein.</p>
<p>The thoracic duct drains lymph from the left side of the thorax as well as from the cistern chyli. The cistern drains the abdomen, hind limbs and the pelvic regions.</p>
==Function==
==Function==
<p>Due to their structure lymphatic capillaries are more permeable than vascular capillaries and this mean that they can not only more effectively remove fluid from tissue but also take up large molecules. This allows the lymphatic system to transport large proteins as well as chylomicrons for the transport of fats. The interstitial fluid filtered into the lymphatic vessels is called lymph. As the vessels pass through [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] the lymph is surveyed by immune cells before returning to the blood ensuring that antigens/pathogens from tissues are removed.</p>
<p>Due to their structure lymphatic capillaries are more permeable than vascular capillaries and this mean that they can not only more effectively remove fluid from tissue but also take up large molecules. This allows the lymphatic system to transport large proteins as well as chylomicrons for the transport of fats. The interstitial fluid filtered into the lymphatic vessels is called lymph. As the vessels pass through [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] the lymph is surveyed by immune cells before returning to the blood ensuring that antigens/pathogens from tissues are removed.</p>