Lymphatic vessel and lymph node

Lymphatic vessels are thin-walled tubes that collect interstitial fluid from tissues and transport it as *lymph* toward the bloodstream. **Lymph nodes** are small, bean-shaped organs located along these vessels that filter the lymph, trapping pathogens, cancer cells, and debris. Both structures play essential roles in maintaining fluid balance in tissues and supporting immune surveillance by providing sites for immune cell activation and proliferation. The network is crucial for returning excess tissue fluid to circulation, absorbing dietary fats from the gut via specialized lacteals, and mounting effective immune responses against infections[1][5][7][9]. --- ### Notes on correctness The entry "Lymphatic vessels and nodes" is **not a canonical molecular target** but rather refers collectively to two major anatomical components of the *lymphatic system*. These are not individual molecules such as receptors or enzymes but multicellular structures composed of various cell types including endothelial cells (in vessels) and multiple immune cell populations (in nodes). While certain molecular markers like LYVE1 or VEGFR3 can be targeted on specific cell types within this system for research or therapeutic purposes[2], "lymphatic vessel" or "lymph node" itself does not meet criteria for a canonical druggable target. If you require structured information about specific molecular targets within this system—such as "LYVE1," "VEGFR3," or other proteins expressed by lymphatic endothelium—please specify those molecules individually.

Other names

Lymphatic systemlymph vesselslymph nodeslymphatics

Not applicable to the anatomical structures themselves; some therapies use nanomaterials to deliver drugs through these pathways[2]