If the Lymphatic Vessels are Blocked or Surgically Removed

Question

If the lymphatic vessels are blocked or surgically removed,
A) excess fluid is filtered out of the capillary.
B) plasma oncotic pressure decreases, thereby causing fluid to leak out of the capillary.
C) fluid and protein accumulate in the interstitium, thereby causing edema.
D) excess fluid moves into the capillary, thereby "drying out" the interstitium.

Accepted Answer

When the lymphatic vessels are blocked or surgically removed, excess fluid and protein cannot be absorbed and transported away from the interstitium. This leads to an accumulation of fluid and protein in the interstitium, resulting in edema. The other choices are not correct because a blockage or removal of the lymphatic vessels would not affect the filtration of excess fluid out of the capillary or the plasma oncotic pressure. Additionally, excess fluid would not move into the capillary, but rather would accumulate in the interstitium.