By which mechanism does lymph flow through lymphatic vessels.
would it be active transport, lymphatic pump, contraction of muscles, or pressure from adjacent blood vessels. I am leaning towards the latter.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "lymph movement" to get these possible sources:
http://www.ashlandacu.com/LymphaticSystemHealing.htm
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?id=doi:10.1086/420954&erFrom=7857716109074805760Guest
http://www.byregion.net/articles-healers/Exercise_Lymphatic.html
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
Lymph flow through lymphatic vessels primarily occurs through the mechanism of the lymphatic pump. The lymphatic pump refers to a series of contractions and relaxations of smooth muscles in the walls of the lymphatic vessels. These contractions propel the lymph fluid forward, similar to the way the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system. This movement is essential for the transportation of lymph fluid, which contains waste products, pathogens, and immune cells, throughout the body.
Contraction of muscles also plays a role in lymph flow. When muscles surrounding the lymphatic vessels contract, they help squeeze the vessels and push the lymph fluid along. This can happen during physical activity or movement, which is why exercise is often recommended to promote lymphatic circulation.
Although pressure from adjacent blood vessels can provide some assistance to lymph flow, it is not the primary mechanism. Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels are separate systems, and lymph flow depends on the aforementioned mechanisms rather than relying solely on blood vessel pressure.
It's always helpful to consult reliable sources to gather information on a topic you're not familiar with. The links you provided may offer more in-depth explanations on lymph movement.