the lymph nodes that remove pathogens in the lymph coming from the legs are called
1 Since the lymphatic system does not have a heart to pump it, its upward movement depends on the motions of the muscle and joint pumps. 2  As it moves upward toward the neck the lymph passes through lymph nodes which filter it to remove debris and pathogens. Lymph nodes also trap and destroy cancer cells to slow the spread of the cancer until they are overwhelmed by it. 2  Efferent lymphatic vessels carry the filtered lymph out of the node so that it can continue its return to the circulatory system.