Intestinal lymph trunk

Intestinal lymph trunk is a significant component of the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in the body's immune response and the absorption of fats from the intestine. The intestinal lymph trunk specifically collects lymph from the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen.

Etymology

The term "intestinal lymph trunk" is derived from the Latin words "intestinum", meaning "gut", and "lympha", meaning "water". The term "trunk" is used to describe a large primary branch of a system, in this case, the lymphatic system.

Anatomy

The intestinal lymph trunk is located in the abdomen and is responsible for draining lymph from the majority of the digestive system. It is one of the major lymph trunks and is typically located to the right of the aorta. The intestinal lymph trunk drains into the cisterna chyli, a dilated sac at the lower end of the thoracic duct, which is the main vessel of the lymphatic system.

Function

The primary function of the intestinal lymph trunk is to collect and transport lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, from the digestive organs to the cisterna chyli. This process is essential for the body's immune response as it helps to remove and filter harmful substances from the body. Additionally, the intestinal lymph trunk plays a key role in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the intestines, which are then transported to the bloodstream.

Related Terms

• Lymphatic system
• Lymph
• Cisterna chyli
• Thoracic duct
• White blood cells

See Also

• Lymphatic vessel
• Lymph node
• Lymphatic circulation

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