Lymph is the clear to pale yellow fluid that flows in lymphatic vessels. It starts as interstitial fluid that seeps out of blood capillaries and is taken up by blind-ended lymphatic capillaries, carrying proteins, cell debris, microbes and immune cells toward the lymph nodes. Lymph from the gut after a fatty meal is milky and called chyle.
| Location | Within lymphatic capillaries, collecting vessels, trunks and ducts throughout the body, returning to the venous angles at the junctions of the internal jugular and subclavian veins |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
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Carries excess tissue fluid, proteins and absorbed fats back to the blood and transports antigens and immune cells to lymph nodes.
Roughly 2-4 litres of lymph return to the blood each day, and any block in this flow causes oedema. Leakage of chyle into the chest (chylothorax) or abdomen (chylous ascites) usually follows injury to the thoracic duct or lymphatic trunks, or obstruction by tumour. Lymph flow depends on muscle contraction, breathing and vessel wall pumping, which is why movement helps reduce swelling.
Accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, usually after thoracic duct injury or obstruction by lymphoma, causing breathlessness.
Milky lymph collecting in the peritoneal cavity from disruption or obstruction of abdominal lymphatics.
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