ANP 1105 Final: The Lymphatic System

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Anatomy and Physiology
• Course: ANP 1105
• Professor: William Staines

Document Summary

The lymphatic system returns fluids that have leaked from the vascular system (blood vessels) back to the blood. It consists of 3 parts: a network of lymphatic vessels, lymph, the fluid contained in those vessels, lymph nodes, they cleanse the lymph as it passes through them. The lymphatic system: as blood circulates through the body, nutrients, wastes, and gases are exchanged between the blood and the interstitial fluid: returns interstitial fluid and leaked plasma proteins back to the blood via: Lymphatic vessels (lymphatics): it is an elaborate network of drainage vessels that circulates ~ 3l of interstitial fluid per day. Lymphatic vessels provide a one-way system, ensuring lymph flows only towards the heart. Lymph vessels (lymphatics) include: lymphatic capillaries, larger lymphatic vessels. The endothelial cells forming the walls of lymphatic capillaries are not tightly joined. Instead they are layered on top of each other forming a flap-like structure.