Collecting lymphatics and lymphangions
Local vessels and regional nodes · Valved Intrinsic pump
Capillaries empty into valved collecting vessels divided into lymphangions, each segment between two valves carrying its own smooth muscle that contracts and drives lymph centrally. Skeletal muscle contraction, arterial pulsation and respiratory pressure swings add extrinsic pumping.
Traced from the start
- Interstitial fluid formationLymphatic capillaries (initial lymphatics)
- Collecting lymphatics and lymphangions
Detail
- Lymphangion
- Vessel segment between two valves, the functional pump unit
- Intrinsic pump
- Spontaneous smooth muscle contraction; rate rises with filling
- Extrinsic pumps
- Skeletal muscle, arterial pulsation, respiration
- Course
- Superficial vessels follow veins, deep vessels follow arteries
When it goes wrong
Immobility with loss of the calf muscle pump
Dependent oedema of the legs
Radiotherapy fibrosis of collecting vessels
Secondary lymphoedema appearing months to years after treatment
Practise this structure
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