Are lymphatic vessels similar to veins or arteries?

Topic Resources

Índice Show

Lymphatic System: Helping Defend Against Infection
Are lymphatic vessels like veins?
Are lymph vessels are structurally similar to arteries or to veins?
What are lymph vessels similar to?
What are the similarities between vein and lymphatic vessels?

Like the venous system, the lymphatic system transports fluids throughout the body. The lymphatic system consists of

Thin-walled lymphatic vessels
Lymph nodes
Two collecting ducts

Lymphatic vessels, located throughout the body, are larger than capillaries (the smallest blood vessels, which connect arteries and veins), and most are smaller than the smallest veins. Most of the lymphatic vessels have valves like those in veins to keep the lymph, which can clot, flowing in the one direction (toward the heart). Lymphatic vessels drain fluid called lymph from tissues throughout the body and return the fluid to the venous system through two collecting ducts.

Lymph begins as fluid that has diffused through the very thin walls of capillaries into the space between cells. Most of the fluid is reabsorbed into the capillaries and the rest is drained into the lymphatic vessels, which eventually return it to the veins. Lymph also contains many other substances including

Proteins, minerals, nutrients, and other substances, which provide nourishment to tissues
Damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign particles (such as bacteria and viruses) that may have entered the tissue fluids

Lymph nodes are tiny bean-shaped organs that serve as collection centers for lymph. All lymph passes through strategically placed lymph nodes, which filter damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign particles out of the lymph. Lymph nodes also contain specialized white blood cells (for example, lymphocytes Lymphocytes One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more

and macrophages Monocytes and Macrophages One of the body's lines of defense (immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more ) designed to engulf and destroy damaged cells, cancer cells, infectious organisms, and foreign particles. Thus, important functions of the lymphatic system are to remove damaged cells from the body and to provide protection against the spread of infection and cancer. Some lymph nodes are clustered under the skin, particularly in the neck, armpits, and groin. Other lymph nodes are deep within the body, for example inside the abdomen.

The lymphatic vessels drain into collecting ducts, which empty their contents into the two subclavian veins, located under the collarbones. These veins join to form the superior vena cava, the large vein that drains blood from the upper body into the heart.

Lymphatic System: Helping Defend Against Infection

The lymphatic system may not carry out its function adequately due to

Blockage (obstruction): Obstruction in the lymphatic system leads to an accumulation of fluid (lymphedema Lymphedema Lymphedema is the accumulation of lymph in tissues, resulting in swelling. When lymphatic vessels are injured or obstructed, lymph fluid cannot drain and accumulates in tissues, causing swelling... read more
). Obstruction may result from scar tissue that develops when the lymph vessels or nodes are damaged or removed during surgery, by radiation therapy, by injury, or in tropical countries, by infection with a threadworm (filariasis Lymphatic Filariasis Lymphatic filariasis is infection of the lymphatic system caused by one of three species of roundworms. People have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain in the limbs and groin, and, if the infection... read more
) that blocks the lymphatic ducts.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: CLICK HERE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL VERSION

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Are lymphatic vessels like veins?

Lymphatic vessels collect and filter lymph (at the nodes) as it continues to move toward larger vessels called collecting ducts. These vessels operate very much like your veins do: They work under very low pressure, have a series of valves in them to keep the fluid moving in one direction.

Are lymph vessels are structurally similar to arteries or to veins?

The correct answer option is (A). A thin tube that functions to carry or transport the lymphatic fluid is called a lymphatic vessel. The lymphatic vessel structure is similar to that of a vein because both possess one-way valves that are involved in the prevention of backflow.

What are lymph vessels similar to?

Lymphatic capillaries are similar to blood capillaries, but they are larger in diameter and have closed ends. Unlike blood capillaries, fluid can flow into lymph capillaries but can't flow out through the cell walls. It can only move forward.

What are the similarities between vein and lymphatic vessels?

Structure-wise, both types of vessels contain an inner layer of endothelial cells, a middle layer of circular smooth muscles, and an outer layer of connective tissues. Significantly, both lymphatic vessels and veins contain valves. Moreover, they operate by the action of skeletal muscle contractions.