Lymph is generated when interstitial fluid is collected through tiny lymph capillaries distributed throughout the body, according to the provided reference. This fluid then travels through lymph vessels to the lymph nodes where it is cleaned and filtered.
In simpler terms, the process can be broken down as follows:
- Interstitial Fluid Formation: Fluid constantly leaks out of blood capillaries into the surrounding tissues, becoming interstitial fluid.
- Lymph Capillary Collection: This interstitial fluid enters tiny vessels called lymph capillaries.
- Lymph Formation: Once inside the lymph capillaries, the fluid is then called lymph.
- Transportation and Filtration: The lymph is transported through a network of lymph vessels to lymph nodes, where it's filtered, removing waste and pathogens.
Therefore, the fundamental process that generates lymph is the collection of interstitial fluid by the lymphatic capillaries.