Micro-post #182: Learning more about the lymphatic system (Basic Knowledge Stuff #20)
- A.B.
- May 4
- 1 min read
Several months ago, I took an interest in learning more about basic anatomy and somehow got fixated on lymph nodes of all things (mine go nuts during every allergy season, so that might explain it). Since they aren't as spotlighted as all the other major body systems, here's a little post to give them something:
Lymphatic system The lymphatic system has a network of vessels that drain intracellular fluid from the intracellular space and return it to the blood. The lymph vessels are not connected to the heart and do not benefit from its contraction. They, like many veins, are embedded in skeletal muscle and rely on muscle contractions to move the lymphatic fluid (intracellular fluid inside lymph vessels). Also like veins, lymph vessels contain valves that prevent backflow. The lymph vessels deliver the fluid into large veins in the chest, where the fluid again becomes part of the blood. Connected to lymph vessels are small masses of spongy tissue called lymph nodes, which remove contaminants such as bacteria and dead cells from lymphatic fluid. In addition, the nodes are homes for certain types of WBCs.
- The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge (2011)
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