Lymph - Anatomy & Physiology
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Introduction
Lymph, a fluid, is formed from interstitial fluid that is filtered into the lymph vessels. Lymph is transported through lymphatic vessels before eventually reentering the blood stream. Lymph transports lymphocytes and triacylglcerides.
Formation
Ly mph is formed by the filtration of interstitial (tissue) fluid into lymphatic capillaries. Lymphatic capillaries are more permeable than there blood counterparts and thus allow proteins to enter them.
Composition
Lymph has a similar composition to blood plasma but has a higher concentration of protein.
Circulation
Lymph travels unidirectionally from tissue into the blood stream via lymphatic capillaries which join to form vessels and these then join to form ducts. As there is no central pump lymph is moved through the vessels via compression the the vessels by skeletal muscle contraction. All lymph passes through lymph nodes before it reenters the blood stream. Further details of the lymphatic vessels can be found here.