Briefly describe the flow of lymph from interstitial fluid back into the bloodstream

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Interstitial fluid flows into lymphatic capillaries and becomes lymph. The lymphatic capillaries drain into lymphatic vessels, which have lymph nodes situated on them. There are superficial lymphatic vessels, which are close to the surface of the skin, and there are deep lymphatic vessels, buried within tissues along with arteries, deep veins, and nerves.
Lymph nodes filter pathogens and cellular debris out of the lymph. There are many lymph nodes along both the superficial and deep lymphatic vessels, some singular, some in clusters. Superficial clusters of lymph nodes are found in the inguinal, cervical, and axillary regions of the body. Deep clusters of lymph nodes are found in the iliac, thoracic, and intestinal regions.
All the lymphatic vessels drain into one of nine larger lymphatic trunks. By the time lymph reaches a trunk, it is completely filtered. All the lymphatic trunks drain into one of two lymphatic ducts.
The left lymphatic duct (also called the thoracic duct) is about 15 to 18 inches long and begins just anterior to the second lumbar vertebra. The thoracic duct is the main collecting duct of the lymphatic system. It receives lymph from the entire body inferior to the ribs, the left upper extremity, the left side of thorax, and the left side of the head and neck.
The right lymphatic trunk is about 1/2 inch long and receives lymph from the right sides of the thorax, head, and neck.
Both lymphatic trunks empty the freshly filtered lymph into the bloodstream. The thoracic duct connects with the left subclavian vein; the right lymphatic duct connects with the right subclavian vein. As discussed in Chapter 2, as soon as lymph enters the bloodstream, it is considered plasma, the liquid portion of blood