Description
The lymphatic vessels form a drainage system parallel to the blood vessels. It is responsible for draining interstitial (or extracellular) fluid that has escaped from the cardiovascular system, as well as the removal of cellular debris, and returning it to the venous system as lymph.
Lymphatic vessels in the thoracic region can be distinguished into parietal and visceral lymph vessels according to the nodes in which they drain. The parietal nodes are located within the thoracic wall and on the superior surface of the respiratory diaphragm and include:
—superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes;
—parasternal lymph nodes;
—intercostal lymph nodes;
—prevertebral lymph nodes;
—prepericardial lymph nodes;
—lateral pericardial lymph nodes.
The visceral nodes drain the organs of the thorax. This group includes:
—intrapulmonary lymph nodes;
—bronchopulmonary lymph nodes;
—tracheobronchial lymph nodes;
—paratracheal lymph nodes.
The efferent vessels of these lymph nodes, in general, unite to form trunks, such as the bronchomediastinal trunk, which returns lymph to the venous system usually via the right lymphatic or thoracic ducts.
Related parts of the anatomy
