Library · Anatomy
Lymphatic vessel
Make it clearer
Lymphatic vessels collect interstitial fluid, the fluid that sits between the cells of a tissue, and return it to the intravascular space, meaning back into the circulating blood.
That collection begins in a way that is not very intuitive: lymphatic capillaries do not branch off from anything. They begin at a blind, closed end, tucked in between the cells of the tissue. And that closed end is made of a very thin endothelium, the inner lining of the vessel, with no basement membrane, which is a supporting sheet.
That detail is what allows fluid to enter. The endothelial cells sit one on top of another, overlapping, and they shift to open the capillary only when the fluid pressure outside exceeds the pressure inside. The cells sit like roof shingles that lift only when water pushes from outside.
In brief
Lymphatic vessels reabsorb interstitial fluid from the periphery and return it to the intravascular space.
Lymphatic capillaries begin at a blind end within the tissue, and that closed end is a thin endothelium with no basement membrane.
Their endothelial cells overlap and shift to open the capillary when the fluid pressure outside exceeds the pressure inside.
The cells sit like roof shingles that lift only when water pushes from outside.
Sources (2)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingPhysiology, Lymphatic System, StatPearlsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAnatomy, Lymphatic System, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated