Lymph circulation is unidirectional and commences in the tissue within highly permeable but blind-ended capillaries composed of a single layer of endothelial cells. These capillaries (lymphatic initiators) are characterized by loosely arranged, overlapping endothelial cells, few intercellular tight junctions and occasional fragments of basement membrane, which account for lymphatic permeability to fluid, macromolecules, pathogens, immune cells, and metastatic tumor cells. The lymphatic vessels are anchored to the surrounding extracellular matrix via anchoring filaments arising from the endothelial cells. As the lymphatic capillaries coalesce into larger collecting ducts, they acquire smooth muscle cells outside of the endothelial layer and start to structurally resemble veins. The larger, collecting vessel has valves to prevent the retrograde flow of lymph, a continuous basement membrane, a muscle layer, and an adventitial layer anchoring it to the surrounding tissue (18).
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Dictor, M., Mebrahtu, S., Selg, M., Lokmic, Z., Sorokin, L. (2007). Lymphatic Origin from Embryonic Stem Cells. In: Leong, S.P.L. (eds) Cancer Metastasis And The Lymphovascular System: Basis For Rational Therapy. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 135. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69219-7_3
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