Final answer:
The lymph nodes, crucial components of the lymphatic system, filter lymph from different bodily regions. The right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct drain lymph into the right and left subclavian veins, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Different Lymph Nodes and What They Drain
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the body's immune response by removing debris and pathogens. The superficial and deep lymphatics form lymphatic trunks, which eventually drain into the bloodstream. Specific lymphatic trunks drain different regions of the body:
- The right lymphatic duct drains the right side of the head, thorax, and right upper limb into the right subclavian vein.
- The thoracic duct drains the rest of the body and begins at the cisterna chyli, which receives lymph from the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs through the left and right lumbar trunks and the intestinal trunk before draining into the left subclavian vein.
The lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph. They are predominantly located near the groin, armpits, neck, chest, and abdomen, with humans having about 500-600 lymph nodes throughout the body. Lymph enters each lymph node through afferent lymphatic vessels, flows through the subcapsular sinus, and then through the node's cortex and medulla.