Lymph Vessels
Lymph vessels extend throughout your body and mimic your blood vessels,
except they are larger. The lymph capillaries (and blood capillaries) extend
into almost all the interstitial areas of all cells. They are not found in the bone
marrow, epidermis (outer layer of skin), in cartilage, or in the central nervous
system.
Blood plasma that leaves the blood capillaries nourishes and carries
energy factors to cells. The cells’ wastes from metabolizing these elements are
excreted into what now has become the interstitial fluid, which is collected
into the small capillaries of the lymph system. The small capillaries lead into
the larger lymph vessels (veins with valves) and off to the lymph nodes and
filtering organs, like the spleen, liver, tonsils and appendix, etc. The
lymphatic vascular bed moves throughout the body in the same way your
blood vessels do.
The thoracic duct, which begins in the abdomen, acts as an enlarged sac,
which receives lymph vessels from the lower extremities (limbs) and pelvic
areas, including the stomach and intestines. This thoracic duct moves upward
through the thorax, picking up lymph vessels from the ribs (intercostal areas),
then moves to the left subclavian area (trunk), where it recedes and drains the
left upper extremities. The left jugular trunk also drains here, which allows
the left side of the head and neck to drain properly. The right side of the
head, neck and thorax drain or are connected to the right lymph duct.
As the lymph flows through the lymph vessels toward the subclavian
veins, it passes through the lymph nodes, which contain macrophages to
phagocytize (consume and destroy) bacteria or other pathogens (antigens).
As the lymph fluid is cleaned, neutralized and filtered, it re-enters the blood
stream at the internal jugular and the right and left subclavian blood veins.
Lymph Nodes
You have thousands of small septic tanks called lymph nodes throughout
your body. Your lymph nodes are bean-shaped holding tanks, or “septic
tanks,” that are used by your lymph system to filter, neutralize, bond and
destroy pathogens (toxins), antigens, etc. They consist of a fibrin net, which
serves as a filter for lymph cells. Lymph nodes range in size—from that of a
small penny to almost the size of a quarter. The lymph nodes consist of:
Lymphocytes (including T and B cells)