afferent lymphatic vessels

Examples of afferent lymphatic vessels in the following topics:

• Lymph Transport

  • Lymph circulates to the lymph node via afferent lymphatic vessels and drains into the lymph node in the subcapsular sinus.
  • Lymphatic capillaries are the site of lymph fluid collection from the tissues.
  • Lymph circulates to the lymph node via afferent lymphatic vessels.
  • The sinuses converge at the hilum of the node, where lymph then leaves the node via an efferent lymphatic vessel toward either a more central lymph node or a lymph duct for drainage into one of the subclavian veins.
  • The lymph flows from the afferent vessels into the sinuses of the lymph node, and then out of the node through the efferent vessels.

• Lymphatic Tissue Development

  • Lymphatic vessels develop from lymph sacs that arise from developing veins, which are derived from mesoderm.
  • Some of the plexuses enlarge and form lymphatic vessels in their respective regions.
  • Capillary plexuses and lymphatic vessels spread from the retroperitoneal lymph sac to the abdominal viscera and diaphragm.
  • The posterior lymph sacs produce capillary plexuses and lymphatic vessels of the abdominal wall, pelvic region, and lower limbs.
  • A lymph node showing afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels, capsule, sinus, efferent lymphatic vessel, backflow valve, nodule, cortex, and hilum.

• Lymphoid Tissue

  • Lymphatic tissue begins to develop by the end of the fifth week of embryonic development.
  • Lymphatic vessels develop from lymph sacs that arise from developing veins, which are derived from mesoderm, the inner tissue layer of the embryo.
  • Development of lymphatic tissue starts when venous endothelial tissues differentiate into lymphatic endothelial tissues.
  • The lymphatic endothelial cells proliferate into sacs that eventually become lymph nodes, with afferent and efferent vessels that flow out from the lymph nodes.
  • Smaller lymph vessels and lymphatic capillaries develop after that until the lymphatic system is completed at the closed end of each lymphatic capillary.

• Lymph Nodes

  • Lymph nodes are small oval-shaped balls of lymphatic tissue distributed widely throughout the body and linked by lymphatic vessels.
  • Lymph nodes are small oval-shaped balls of lymphatic tissue, distributed widely throughout the body and linked by a vast network of lymphatic vessels.
  • Each lymph node has an afferent lymph vessel that directs lymph into the node, and an efferent lymph vessel called the hilum that directs lymph out of the node at the concave side of the node.
  • This diagram shows the network of lymph nodes and connecting lymphatic vessels in the human body.
  • This diagram of a lymph node shows the outer capsule, cortex, medulla, hilum, sinus, valve to prevent backflow, nodule, and afferent and efferent vessels.

• Distribution of Lymphatic Vessels

  • The lymphatic system comprises a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry lymph unidirectionally towards the heart.
  • The lymphatic system is a circulatory system for lymphatic fluid, comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry the fluid in one direction toward the heart.
  • Adaptive immune responses usually develop within lymphatic vessels.
  • Afferent lymphatic vessels flow into a lymph node and carry unfiltered lymph fluid.
  • Lymph vessels that leave the thymus or spleen (which lack afferent vessels) also fall into this category.

• Structure of the Lymphatic System

  • The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels and associated lymphoid organs.
  • The lymphatic system is a collection of structures and vessels that drains lymph from blood and has several other functions.
  • The lymphatic vessels are the lymphatic system equivalent of the blood vessels of the circulatory system and drain fluid from the circulatory system.
  • The lymphatic vessels make their way to the lymph nodes, and from there the vessels form into trunks.
  • This diagram shows the network of lymph nodes and connecting lymphatic vessels in the human body.

• Lymphatic Vessel Structure

  • The general structure of lymphatic vessels is similar to that of blood vessels since these are the only two types of vessels in the body.
  • The smallest vessels, such as the lymphatic capillaries, may have no outer adventitia.
  • One of the main structural features of lymph vessels is their valves, which are semilunar structures attached to opposite sides of the lymphatic endothelium.
  • Valves are found in larger lymph vessels and collecting vessels and are absent in the lymphatic capillaries.
  • A lymphangion is the term for the space between two semilunar valves in a lymphatic vessel, functional unit of the lymphatic system.

• Lymphatic Capillaries

  • Lymph capillaries are tiny, thin-walled vessels, closed at one end and located in the spaces between cells throughout the body.
  • Lymphatic circulation begins in the smallest type of lymph vessels, the lymph capillaries.
  • Lymph or lymphatic capillaries are tiny thin-walled vessels, closed at one end and located in the spaces between cells throughout the body.
  • Unlike larger lymphatic vessels, lymphatic capillaries do not contain smooth muscle nor do they have a well developed adventitia, only small elastic filaments that perform a similar function.
  • The lymphatic capillaries bring lymph further into the lymphatic vessels.

• Lymph Trunks and Ducts

  • After filtration by the lymph nodes, efferent lymphatic vessels take lymph to the end of the lymphatic system.
  • A lymphatic trunk is any large lymph vessel that forms from the convergence of many efferent lymph vessels.
  • Lymphatic trunks then drain lymph fluid into the lymph ducts, the final part of the lymphatic system.
  • These are the largest lymph vessels and contain three layers, similar to those of great veins.
  • Describe the types of lymph vessels and lymph trunks and their roles

• Functions of the Lymphatic System

  • The lymphatic system is the site of many key immune system functions.
  • The lymphatic system is a blunt-ended linear flow system, in which tissue fluids, cells, and large extracellular molecules, collectively called lymph, are drained into the initial lymphatic capillary vessels that begin at the interstitial spaces of tissues and organs.
  • Abnormal edema can still occur if the drainage components of the lymph vessels are obstructed.
  • Lymph drainage vessels that line the intestine, called lacteals, absorb the chylomicrons into lymph fluid.
  • Lymphatic vessels, which uptake various antigens from peripheral tissues, are positively regulated by chemokines/cytokines secreted by various immune cells during inflammation.