nyirokvezetékeken

Nyirokvezetékek, also known as lymphatic vessels, are a crucial part of the lymphatic system. They form an extensive network throughout the body, working in conjunction with the circulatory system. These vessels are responsible for transporting lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, proteins, fats, and waste products, from the tissues back to the bloodstream.

The lymphatic system is a one-way network. Lymphatic capillaries, the smallest of these vessels, begin as blind-ended tubes within tissue spaces. As they collect interstitial fluid, which is the fluid surrounding cells, it becomes lymph. This lymph then travels through progressively larger lymphatic vessels. Along the way, it passes through lymph nodes, which are small, bean-shaped organs that filter the lymph and house immune cells.

The lymphatic vessels have thin walls, similar to veins, and contain valves that prevent the backflow of lymph, ensuring its unidirectional movement towards the heart. The contraction of surrounding muscles and the pulsation of arteries help to propel the lymph through the vessels. Once the lymph has been filtered by the lymph nodes, it eventually empties into the subclavian veins, rejoining the bloodstream. This process is vital for fluid balance, immune defense, and the absorption of fats from the digestive system.