The dangers of lymphatic blockage in the neck

Lymphatic obstruction can cause obstruction of lymphatic return, increase the pressure in the lymphatic vessels, and cause the tissue fluid to be unable to be recovered normally, resulting in local swelling, water accumulation and other symptoms. The cause of the disease may be lymphangitis, which is caused by local wounds or bacterial infection. If there is no clear bacterial invasion site, the infection may also spread from the lymphatic vessels to the local lymph nodes, causing symptoms.

The lymphatic circulation is an important auxiliary part of the circulatory system and can be considered as a supplement to the vascular system. In mammals, it is composed of a network of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic organs (lymph nodes, spleen, etc.) distributed throughout the body. The thinnest lymphatic vessels are called lymphatic capillaries. Lymphatic capillaries are distributed throughout the human body except for the brain, cartilage, cornea, lens, inner ear, and placenta, and their number is similar to that of capillaries. The lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine are called lacteals. Lymphatic capillaries gather into a lymphatic network and then merge into lymphatic vessels. According to their location, they can be divided into deep and superficial lymphatic vessels: superficial lymphatic vessels collect lymph fluid (referred to as lymph) from the skin and subcutaneous tissue; deep lymphatic vessels run along with deep blood vessels and collect lymph from muscles, internal organs, etc. All lymphatic vessels merge into the two largest lymphatic ducts in the body, namely the thoracic duct on the left and the right lymphatic duct on the right, which enter the left and right subclavian veins respectively (see figure). The thoracic duct is the thickest and longest lymphatic vessel in the body, formed by the confluence of the left and right lumbar lymphatic trunks and the intestinal lymphatic trunks. There is an enlarged cisterna chyli in the lower segment. The thoracic duct also collects lymph from the left upper and lower body, accounting for about 3/4 of the total body lymph. The right lymphatic duct is formed by the right cervical lymphatic trunk, right subclavian lymphatic trunk and right bronchomediastinal lymphatic trunk, collecting lymph from the right upper body, accounting for about 1/4 of the total body lymph. An important feature of lymphatic circulation is that it flows in one direction without forming a true circulation. The flow of lymph into the circulatory system has important physiological significance. ①Recycle protein. Protein molecules in the interstitial fluid cannot enter the blood through the capillary walls, but can more easily pass through the capillary walls of lymphatic vessels to form components of lymph. About 75 to 200 grams of protein are carried back to the blood by the lymph every day, keeping the protein concentration in the interstitial fluid at a low level. ②Transport fat and other nutrients. 80% to 90% of the fat absorbed by the intestine is absorbed by the capillary lymphatic vessels of the small intestinal villi. ③ Regulate the fluid balance of plasma and interstitial fluid. About 2 to 4 liters of lymph are produced every day and return to the plasma, which is roughly equivalent to the total body plasma volume. ④ Lymphatic flow can also clear out red blood cells that enter the tissues due to bleeding and bacteria that invade the body, and plays a defensive role in the animal body. A small number of patients may have symptoms of systemic poisoning such as low fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss.