The
lymphatic system is composed of
blind-ended capillary beds that are found adjacent to the venous part of
blood system capillaries. The
lymph capillaries feed into
lymphatic vessels that return the fluid to the venous circulation.
Lymphatic capillaries are lined with loosely overlapping
endothelial cells, making them extremely delicate. The
endothelial cells also overlap to form one-way
minivalves to allow the
interstitial fluid to freely enter the
lymphatic system, but not to exit. One-way
valves inside the
capillaries keep fluid flowing towards the
lymphatic vessels leading to the venous circulation.
Once the fluid has left the
lymphatic capillaries it flows into larger
lymphatic collecting vessels. The
cisterna chyli is an expanded collecting vessel that drains the
digestive system. The collecting vessels eventually join the venous
system at the
right lymphatic duct and
thoracic duct under the clavicle.
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1 - Anatomy and Physiology Basics