Abstract
As a tributary of the arteriovenous blood circulation, the lymphatic vasculature plays an exquisite, finely modulated role in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis and interstitial fluid balance.
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It is estimated that approximately one-sixth of the body’s total volume resides in the interstitial space.
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The lymphatic circulation is responsible for unidirectional fluid transport.
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By definition, without any initial change in composition, the interstitial fluid becomes lymph once it enters the initial lymphatics.
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Under resting conditions, it is estimated that there are 2–3 l/day of lymph formed in the human body.
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Entry of interstitial fluid into the lymphatic capillary is primarily governed by the prevailing interstitial fluid pressure.
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Any physical force that increases interstitial fluid pressure will increase lymph flow.
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Lymph flow becomes maximal when interstitial pressure is slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure.
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The lymphatic circulation relies upon the effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic pumps.
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Cyclical changes in prevailing pressure gradients provide the dynamic forces that favor fluid entry.
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Rockson, S.G. (2018). Lymphodynamics. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_7
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