AEMCA Practice Exam

How many efferent vessels are there leaving a lymph node?

1. 1

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

The correct answer is: 2

When considering the structure of a lymph node, it's important to understand the flow of lymphatic fluid through it. Lymph nodes serve as filters and are critical components of the immune system. They receive lymphatic fluid from afferent vessels, which bring fluid into the node, and they expel this fluid through efferent vessels. Typically, each lymph node has one or more efferent vessels. The common understanding in lymphatic anatomy is that most lymph nodes possess one primary efferent vessel that drains lymph away from the node. However, several lymph nodes can have more than one efferent vessel, often two, depending on their size and location in the body. Given the structure of the lymphatic system, the correct answer reflects that many lymph nodes, particularly larger or more central ones, indeed have two efferent vessels that transport lymph away. This arrangement enhances the efficiency of lymph flow and immune response distribution in the body. Thus, the option indicating two efferent vessels leaving a lymph node aligns well with the anatomical and physiological principles of how lymphatic drainage operates.