Lymphangitis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vendhan Ramanujam M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Lymphangitis is inflammation of the lymphatic system, a system comprised of small vessels of the immune system that carry lymphatic fluid which is then filtered in the lymph nodes and spleen, drained into the subclavian veins and finally returned back to the circulatory system.
Pathophysiology
Lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph in a passive fashion, assisted by aforementioned valves.[1] Generally lymph vessels act as a reservoir for plasma and other substances including cells that leaked from the vascular system and lymph flows away from the tissues to lymph nodes and eventually to either the right lymphatic duct or the largest lymph vessel in the body, the thoracic duct. These vessels in turn drain into the right and left subclavian veins respectively.
Lymphangitis most commonly occurs following invasion of microorganisms either from a traumatized skin or from a distal site of infection into the lymphatic vessels that leads to inflammation of the vessel. The inflammation or infection then spreads proximally towards the regional lymph node. Lymphangitis can occur in a normal, damaged or anatomically deformed lymphatic channels. Tissue protein and fluid accumulation can occur following lymphangitis, leading to non-pitting lymphedema and further predisposing to invasion of microorganisms.
References
- ↑ Suami H, Taylor GI, Pan WR (2007). "The lymphatic territories of the upper limb: anatomical study and clinical implications". Plast Reconstr Surg. 119 (6): 1813–22. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000246516.64780.61. PMID 17440362.