A sedentary individual experiences lower extremity edema. Which mechanism explains why lymphatic drainage becomes insufficient to maintain interstitial fluid balance?

💡 Explanation

Reduced skeletal muscle pump activity decreases lymphatic vessel compression, impeding lymph flow back to the venous system; because muscle contractions assist lymphatic drainage, diminished activity leads to fluid accumulation. Therefore, edema worsens, rather than ADH increasing retention or cortisol reducing permeability.

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