lymphatic vessel

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablemedical

   A narrow tube in the body that collects lymph from the tissues and carries it toward the bloodstream.

   Grammar: Usually plural in textbooks: lymphatic vessels run alongside veins.

   Patterns

   • lymphatic vessels in something
   • lymph flows through lymphatic vessels

   Fluid that leaks out of the blood capillaries is gathered by lymphatic vessels.

   A blocked lymphatic vessel in the arm can cause painful swelling.

   Tiny valves inside each lymphatic vessel keep the lymph moving in one direction.

Word forms

Common combinations

blocked lymphatic vessel

A blocked lymphatic vessel prevented the fluid from draining from his leg.

network of lymphatic vessels

A network of lymphatic vessels spreads through almost every organ.

lymphatic vessel wall

The lymphatic vessel wall is thinner than that of an artery.

damage to a lymphatic vessel

Damage to a lymphatic vessel during surgery can lead to swelling.

deep lymphatic vessels

The deep lymphatic vessels follow the major blood vessels.

Synonyms and how they differ

lymph vessel

This is the same structure with slightly shorter wording, and it is common in general-audience writing.

lymphatic

As a noun, this is a shortened specialist term used by doctors for the same kind of channel.

lymph duct

A lymph duct is a larger collecting channel into which smaller lymphatic vessels drain.

Word family

lymph noun

the clear fluid carried in the lymphatic system

lymphatic adjective

relating to lymph or its vessels

lymph node noun

a small gland that filters lymph

lymphocyte noun

a white blood cell that fights infection

Commonly confused: lymphatic vessel or blood vessel?

Practice

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