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Lymphodynamics

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Lymphedema

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Abstract

As a tributary of the arteriovenous blood circulation, the lymphatic vasculature plays an exquisite, finely modulated role in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis and interstitial fluid balance.

  • It is estimated that approximately one-sixth of the body’s total volume resides in the interstitial space.

  • The lymphatic circulation is responsible for unidirectional fluid transport.

  • By definition, without any initial change in composition, the interstitial fluid becomes lymph once it enters the initial lymphatics.

  • Under resting conditions, it is estimated that there are 2–3 l/day of lymph formed in the human body.

  • Entry of interstitial fluid into the lymphatic capillary is primarily governed by the prevailing interstitial fluid pressure.

  • Any physical force that increases interstitial fluid pressure will increase lymph flow.

  • Lymph flow becomes maximal when interstitial pressure is slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure.

  • The lymphatic circulation relies upon the effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic pumps.

  • Cyclical changes in prevailing pressure gradients provide the dynamic forces that favor fluid entry.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

Authors
  1. Stanley G. Rockson
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Correspondence to Stanley G. Rockson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Rockson, S.G. (2018). Lymphodynamics. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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