Lymphatic vessel - wikipedia Lymphatic vessel This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( April 2010 ) Lymph vessel Lymph capillaries in the tissue spaces. The thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct. Details System Lymphatic system Identifiers Latin vas lymphaticum Code TH H3. 09.02. 0.05001 TA A12. 0.00. 038 FMA 30315 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) In anatomy, lymphatic vessels ( or lymph vessels or lymphatics ) are thin - walled, valved structures that carry lymph. As part of the lymphatic system, lymph vessels are complementary to the cardiovascular system. Lymph vessels are lined by endothelial cells, and have a thin layer of smooth muscles, and adventitia that bind the lymph vessels to the surrounding tissue. Lymph vessels are devoted to the propulsion of the lymph from the lymph capillaries, which are mainly concerned with absorption of interstitial fluid from the tissues. Lymph capillaries are slightly larger than their counterpart capillaries of the vascular system. Lymph vessels that carry lymph to a lymph node are called the afferent lymph vessel, and one that carries it from a lymph node is called the efferent lymph vessel, from where the lymph may travel to another lymph node, may be returned to a vein, or may travel to a larger lymph duct. Lymph ducts drain the lymph into one of the subclavian veins and thus return it to general circulation. Generally, lymph flows away from the tissues to lymph nodes and eventually to either the right lymphatic duct or the largest lymph vessel in the body, the thoracic duct. These vessels drain into the right and left subclavian veins respectively. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Lymph capillaries 1.2 Lymph vessels 2 Function 2.1 Afferent vessels 2.2 Efferent vessels 3 Clinical significance 4 See also 5 Additional images 6 References 7 External links Structure The general structure of lymphatics is based on that of blood vessels. There is an inner lining of single flattened epithelial cells ( simple squamous epithelium ) composed of a type of epithelium that is called endothelium, and the cells are called endothelial cells. This layer functions to mechanically transport fluid and since the basement membrane on which it rests is discontinuous ; it leaks easily. The next layer is that of smooth muscles that are arranged in a circular fashion around the endothelium, which by shortening ( contracting ) or relaxing alter the diameter ( caliber ) of the lumen. The outermost layer is the adventitia that consists of fibrous tissue. The general structure described here is seen only in larger lymphatics ; smaller lymphatics have fewer layers. The smallest vessels ( lymphatic or lymph capillaries ) lack both the muscular layer and the outer adventitia. As they proceed forward and in their course are joined by other capillaries, they grow larger and first take on an adventitia, and then smooth muscles. The lymphatic conducting system broadly consists of two types of channels -- the initial lymphatics, the prelymphatics or lymph capillaries that specialize in collection of the lymph from the ISF, and the larger lymph vessels that propel the lymph forward. Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system is not closed and has no central pump. Lymph movement occurs despite low pressure due to peristalsis ( propulsion of the lymph due to alternate contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle ), valves, and compression during contraction of adjacent skeletal muscle and arterial pulsation. Propulsion of lymph through lymph vessel Lymph capillaries The lymphatic circulation begins with blind ending ( closed at one end ) highly permeable superficial lymph capillaries, formed by endothelial cells with button - like junctions between them that allow fluid to pass through them when the interstitial pressure is sufficiently high. These button - like junctions consist of protein filaments like platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule - 1, or PECAM - 1. A valve system in place here prevents the absorbed lymph from leaking back into the ISF. There is another system of semilunar ( semi = half ; lunar = related to the Moon ) valves that prevents back - flow of lymph along the lumen of the vessel. Lymph capillaries have many interconnections ( anastomoses ) between them and form a very fine network. Rhythmic contraction of the vessel walls through movements may also help draw fluid into the smallest lymphatic vessels, capillaries. If tissue fluid builds up the tissue will swell ; this is called edema. As the circular path through the body 's system continues, the fluid is then transported to progressively larger lymphatic vessels culminating in the right lymphatic duct ( for lymph from the right upper body ) and the thoracic duct ( for the rest of the body ) ; both ducts drain into the circulatory system at the right and left subclavian veins. The system collaborates with white blood cells in lymph nodes to protect the body from being infected by cancer cells, fungi, viruses or bacteria. This is known as a secondary circulatory system. Lymph vessels The lymph capillaries drain the lymph to larger contractile lymphatics, which have valves as well as smooth muscle walls. These are called the collecting lymphatics. As the collecting lymph vessel accumulates lymph from more and more lymph capillaries in its course, it becomes larger and is called the afferent lymph vessel as it enters a lymph node. Here the lymph percolates through the lymph node tissue and is removed by the efferent lymph vessel. An efferent lymph vessel may directly drain into one of the ( right or thoracic ) lymph ducts, or may empty into another lymph node as its afferent lymph vessel. Both the lymph ducts return the lymph to the blood stream by emptying into the subclavian veins The functional unit of a lymph vessel is known as a lymphangion, which is the segment between two valves. Since it is contractile, depending upon the ratio of its length to its radius, it can act either like a contractile chamber propelling the fluid ahead, or as a resistance vessel tending to stop the lymph in its place. Function See also : Lymphatic system Lymph vessels act as reservoirs for plasma and other substances including cells that have leaked from the vascular system and transport lymph fluid back from the tissues to the circulatory system. Without functioning lymph vessels, lymph can not be effectively drained and edema typically results. Afferent vessels The afferent lymph vessels enter at all parts of the periphery of the lymph node, and after branching and forming a dense plexus in the substance of the capsule, open into the lymph sinuses of the cortical part. It carries unfiltered lymph into the node. In doing this they lose all their coats except their endothelial lining, which is continuous with a layer of similar cells lining the lymph paths. Afferent lymphatic vessels are only found in lymph nodes. This is in contrast to efferent lymphatic vessel which are also found in the thymus and spleen. Efferent vessels The efferent lymphatic vessel commences from the lymph sinuses of the medullary portion of the lymph nodes and leave the lymph nodes at the hilum, either to veins or greater nodes. It carries filtered lymph out of the node. Efferent lymphatic vessels are also found in the thymus and spleen. This is in contrast to afferent lymphatic vessels, which are found only in lymph nodes. Clinical significance Lymphangiomatosis is a disease involving multiple cysts or lesions formed from lymphatic vessels. See also Meningeal lymphatic vessels Additional images Lymphatic system Section across portal canal of pig. X 250. References Jump up ^ Pepper, Michael S. ; Michaela Skobe ( 2003 - 10 - 27 ). `` Lymphatic endothelium : morphological, molecular and functional properties ''. The Journal of Cell Biology. 163 ( 2 ) : 209 -- 213. PMC 2173536. PMID 14581448. doi : 10.1083 / jcb. 200308082. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 06. ^ Jump up to : Shayan, Ramin ; Achen, Marc G. ; Stacker, Steven A. ( 2006 ). `` Lymphatic vessels in cancer metastasis : bridging the gaps ''. Carcinogenesis. 27 ( 9 ) : 1729 -- 38. PMID 16597644. doi : 10.1093 / carcin / bgl031. ^ Jump up to : Baluk, Peter ; Jonas Fuxe ; Hiroya Hashizume ; Talia Romano ; Erin Lashnits ; Stefan Butz ; Dietmar Vestweber ; Monica Corad ; Cinzia Molendini ; Elisabetta Dejana ; Donald M. McDonald ( 2007 - 09 - 10 ). `` Functionally specialized junctions between endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels ''. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 204 ( 10 ) : 2349 -- 2362. PMC 2118470. PMID 17846148. doi : 10.1084 / jem. 20062596. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 07. ^ Jump up to : Rosse, Cornelius ; Penelope Gaddum - Rosse. `` The Cardiovascular System ( Chapter 8 ) ''. Hollinshead 's Textbook of Anatomy ( Fifth ed. ). Philadelphia : Lippincott - Raven. pp. 72 -- 73. ISBN 0 - 397 - 51256 - 2. Jump up ^ Venugopal, A.M. ; Stewart, R.H. ; Laine, G.A. ; Quick, C.M. ( 2004 ). `` 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE ''. 2. Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society : 3700 -- 3703. contribution = ignored ( help ) External links Lymphatic Vessels at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH ) Efferent lymph vessel - BioWeb at University of Wisconsin System Physiology : 3 / 3ch9 / s3ch9_5 - Essentials of Human Physiology Human systems and organs Musculoskeletal Skeletal system Bone Carpus Collar bone ( clavicle ) Thigh bone ( femur ) Fibula Humerus Mandible Metacarpus Metatarsus Ossicles Patella Phalanges Radius Skull ( cranium ) Tarsus Tibia Ulna Rib Vertebra Pelvis Sternum Cartilage Joints Fibrous joint Cartilaginous joint Synovial joint Muscular system Muscle Tendon Diaphragm Circulatory system Cardiovascular system peripheral Artery Vein Lymphatic vessel Heart Lymphatic system primary Bone marrow Thymus secondary Spleen Lymph node CNS equivalent Glymphatic system Nervous system Brain Spinal cord Nerve Sensory system Ear Eye Integumentary system Skin Subcutaneous tissue Breast Mammary gland Immune system Myeloid Myeloid immune system Lymphoid Lymphoid immune system Respiratory system Upper Nose Nasopharynx Larynx Lower Trachea Bronchus Lung Digestive system Mouth Salivary gland Tongue upper GI Oropharynx Laryngopharynx Esophagus Stomach lower GI Small intestine Appendix Colon Rectum Anus accessory Liver Biliary tract Pancreas Urinary system Genitourinary system Kidney Ureter Bladder Urethra Reproductive system Female Uterus Vagina Vulva Ovary Placenta Male Scrotum Penis Prostate Testicle Seminal vesicle Endocrine system Pituitary Pineal Thyroid Parathyroid Adrenal Islets of Langerhans General anatomy : systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs Arteries and veins Vessels Arteries Nutrient artery Arteriole Metarteriole Capillaries Types Continuous Fenestrated Sinusoidal Precapillary sphincter Precapillary resistance Veins Vena comitans Superficial vein Deep vein Emissary veins Venous plexus Venule Lymph Lymphatic vessel Lymph Lymph capillary Circulatory system Systemic Left heart → Aorta → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Vena cava → ( Right heart ) Pulmonary Right heart → Pulmonary arteries → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left heart Microanatomy Tunica intima Endothelium Internal elastic lamina Tunica media Tunica externa Vasa vasorum Vasa nervorum Vascular nerves Rete mirabile Circulatory anastomosis Lymphatic vessels Nodal Lymph capillary Lymphatic vessel Other Lymph trunk Lymph Lymphangion Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lymphatic_vessel&oldid=783888448 '' Categories : Lymphatic system Hidden categories : CS1 errors : chapter ignored Articles needing additional references from April 2010 All articles needing additional references All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from September 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Bosanski Català Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français 한국어 Italiano Polski Português Русский Slovenščina Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 5 June 2017, at 08 : 07. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the main function of the lymph vessels
Answer: reservoirs for plasma and other substances including cells that have leaked from the vascular system