!Lymph - Vessels
!!Anatomy
Lymph vessels are a part of the ((Circulatory - Lymphatic System|lymphatic system)), which is are complementary to the cardiovascular system to __collect blood plasma and substances__ in the interstitium, to __filter__ it and lead it back into the ((Circulatory - Blood|bloodstream)). Lymph vessels have thin walls lined by endothelial cells, and have a thin layer of ((Organ Walls - Smooth Muscle Layer|smooth muscles)), as well as __valves__ that prevent backflow. Their adventitia binds the lymph vessels to the surrounding tissue. Lymph capillaries are slightly larger than their counterpart capillaries of the vascular system. They __end blindly in the interstitium__, from where lymph fluid is transported to a __((Circulatory - Lymph-Nodes |lymph node))__ and on towards the ((Circulatory - Heart - Overview|heart)). Smaller vessels lead into __collecting ducts__, which drain the lymph into one of the __subclavian ((Circulatory - Veins|veins))__ and thus return it to general circulation. The biggest vessels are the right lymphatic duct and the __thoracic duct__ (whose lymph has a milky colour because it is enriched with fat from the ((Digestive - Large Intestine Overview|intestines))).

The lymph transport is, like the venous transport, depending on help by the __muscle pump__, i e intermittent resistance through ((Respiratory - System Overview|breathing)) and the ((Musculoskeletal - Skeletal Muscles|skeletal muscles)).

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graphics: wikipedia, [https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Blausen_gallery_2014|Blausen.staff]

!!Brain
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!!!Relay
__Cerebral Medulla__ ( - / + ) for intima and valves, relay reflecting location in the body/sides crossed
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__Midbrain__ (+/0) for smooth muscle layer, relay reflecting locationin the body/sides uncrossed
compare __Brain Stem__ {img fileId="190" thumb="box"}

!!Mind
!!!Theme
*Self devaluation regarding the affected area and it´s associations
*Self-sustainability and self-healing ability

Association according to locality:
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For further associations see ((Musculoskeletal - System Overview|Skeletal System))

!!!Emotions, Thoughts
__Self-doubt, self-hate, self-abandonment__
*I doubt that I can handle that. 
*I doubt that I can heal. 
*I feel blocked. 
*I can´t rid myself of that and move on.

!!!META-Meaning
*I handle everything life has for me fluently and with grace. 
*Now, I can distinguish my resources from my ballast, and act accordingly.

!!Organ
!!!Stress Phase Symptoms
Functional decrease, weakening and necrosis of the lymph vessel wall and valves, which the smooth muscle layer will try to compensate. The functional loss can lead to __lymphedema__ ("hard" oedema because substances & proteins are not carried from the interstitium). At the same time, especially in more substantial conflicts, weakening in the structure of ((Musculoskeletal - Bones|bones)), joints and/or ((Musculoskeletal - Skeletal Muscles|muscles)) can appear.

!!!Regeneration Phase Symptoms
There are basically two different lymph regeneration programs:

1. In case of a __common swelling of the lymph or the lymph node__ there is no cell proliferation (Mitosis) but a swelling and a bulking of the lymph vessels and -nodes. The lymphatics work at full power in order to process degraded tissue or wound healing in the affected area. This means that __another tissue is in regeneration phase!__

2. Repair of the vessel wall with help of cholesterol and cell proliferation initiated by inflammation (__lymphangitis__). In extreme cases, proliferation can be diagnosed as ____lymphangioma____ or lymphangiosarcoma. Typical symptoms are a dilatation of the lymph vessels, an insufficient lymphatic drainage and an intense swelling, especially when ((Urinary - Kidneys - Collecting Tubules|kidney tubules)) are stress-active simultaneously.

!!!Biological Meaning
The biological meaning in processes governed by the Cerebral Medulla lies in the finished regeneration phase, leaving the affected tissue stronger than before.

!!Social
!!!Examples
*A woman seems unable to terminate a relationship which is bad for her, and feels guilty for it.
*A man develops a lymphedema in the leg after a long healing process with thrombophlebitis. He had felt tied to a situation with fighting his way out of debts.

!!Additional Information
A __primary lymphedema__ through inherent hypoplasia or aplasia of lymph vessels is much more common in women than in men. Possible reason is a conflict of the mother during pregnancy which was perceived as an own conflict by the fetus, sharing the mother´s feelings, signals and strategies. A female baby would probably identify even more with her mother than a male one.

!!!Differential Diagnosis
__((Circulatory - Veins|Veins))__ (Cerebral Medulla, -/+) vein insufficiency in the stress phase (feeling tied down) or after recurring conflicts can lead to edema and ulcus cruris, especially in the periphery.

__((Urinary - Kidneys - Collecting Tubules|Kidney Collecting Tubules))__ (Brain Stem, +/-) stress phase causes water retention in the body by enhanced reabsorption of primary urine in the kidney, which usually enlarges other swelling processes.

__((Musculoskeletal - Muscle Fascia|Muscle Fascia))__ (CB, MB +/-) in stress phase (protection) leads to muscle tension, which can create backlog of lymph and lead to adhesions because of fibrinogen reaction

__((Circulatory - Myocardium - Ventricles|Myocardium Right Ventricle))__ (CM -/+) in stress phase (overwhelm regarding support) leads to backlog and oedema in feet & lower legs

In addition, malnutrition (__protein deficiency__) can lead to edema. Surgical __lymphadenectomy__ or __radiation__ can also lead to lymphedema.
