Mona had some axillary lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels removed from her left arm during a recent surgery. Determine why she experiences edema (swelling) in that arm

What will be an ideal response?


The function of lymphatic vessels is to pick up excess interstitial fluid and return it to the blood. Excess tissue fluid can accumulate in tissues if not picked up by lymphatic vessels, producing edema (swelling). Lymph from the left arm should ultimately be returned to the thoracic duct, and into the left subclavian vein before being returned to the heart. If lymphatic vessels have been removed from Mona's left arm, the mechanism of picking up and returning escaped fluids to the blood has become impaired.

Anatomy & Physiology

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