REVIEW ARTICLE
림프계의 미세구조
정희연1,*
Component and Microstructure of Lymphatics
Jung Heeyoune1,*
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
*Address for correspondence:
Heeyoune Jung, MD, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, 260 Jungang-ro, Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 12564, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-31-580-5571, Fax: +82-31-580-5209, E-mail:
heeyounejung@gmail.com
ⓒ Copyright 2026 Korean Society of Lymphology and Lymphedema. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: Apr 24, 2023; Accepted: May 28, 2023
Published Online: May 31, 2023
Abatract
Transport of lymph is the main role of lymphatic vessels to fulfil the main functions of the entire lymphatic system; fluid homeostasis and nutrient balance of the tissue as well as to activate immune surveillance system. Lymphatic capillaries have unique structure, single-layered flap-valve leafy endothelial cells, which allows lymph absorption inward from the interstitial tissue without leaking. Anchoring collagen filament attached to the endothelial cells also assist the opening of the entrance. Collecting lymphatic vessels delivering lymph centrally against hydraulic pressure gradient are helped by the specific feature of valve and intrinsic contractility of lymphatic muscle cells. The several factors affecting the lymphatic vessels’ motility and lymph flow are being researched including neuromodulation and mechanical load.
Keywords: Lymphatic Vessels; Lymph Transport; Contractility of Lymphatics
