40 



THE HUMAN MECHANISM 



13. Function of the lymph flow from an organ. It is clear 

 from inspection of Fig. 31 that there is a steady flow of 

 liquid from the capillaries, through the lymph spaces of the 

 connective tissue, over the surfaces of the living cells or of 

 any intervening capillaries, to the lymphatics. The cell is 

 thus bathed not by a stagnant medium but by one which 

 is in gentle movement one which brings to all parts of its 



FIG. 31. Diagram of the relation of the cells of an organ to its blood 



vessels, lymphatics, and connective tissue 



A, artery; V, vein ; L, lymphatic 



surface the food which it needs and immediately carries 

 away from all parts of its surface to the adjacent capillaries 

 the products of its activity. By providing this outlet from 

 the lymph spaces the lymphatics render possible the move- 

 ment of lymph within the organ itself, whereby material is 

 readily transferred from the cell to the capillaries and from 

 the capillaries to the cell. 



14. Distribution of nerves to muscles and glands. The dis- 

 tribution of nerves resembles that of the arteries, the larger 



