Part 1: General understanding of the Structure and Purpose

Purpose

What is the lymphatic system? An integral component to regulating the functioning of our body, yet a topic misunderstood by the general population. This blog aims to create a better understanding for the general community on how the lymphatic system works.

You may have heard the lymphatic system being referred to as our “sewerage system”. When investigated further, we see that the primary role of the system is to:

  • Remove excess fluid
  • Improve the response of the immune system
  • Produce antibodies to fight diseases

(Breslin et al., 2018).

Generally, the cardiovascular system is responsible for removing waste products from our body, however roughly 15% remains in the tissue, and if accumulated over time, can lead to “edema”, or swelling. It is the lymphatic systems role to retrieve this excess fluid, filter pathogens and return it back to the cardiovascular system (Lemole, 2022). Failure to do so, may result in chronic inflammation to body organs. Once fluid enters the lymphatic system, it is regarded as lymph, which may consist of excess fluid, proteins, minerals, fat, nutrients, damaged or cancerous cells and bacteria (Lemole, 2022).

 

Structure

The lymphatic system consists of three integral components required to transport lymph out of the body.

First, we have the vessels, forming the general structure of the system, and responsible for absorbing body fluid and pathogens from the tissue via changes to circulatory and lymphatic pressure (Breslin et al., 2018). When overwhelmed or unable to function properly, the vessels become full of fluid or “lymph”, causing the body to become swollen. We can see this swelling, due to a predominately large percentage of vessels being situated in the most outer layer of our skin. It is for this reason that a build up of fluid in the vessels may also cause discoloration and a lack of skin stretch. At a microscopic level we see that the vessels also include valves, with the purpose to prevent back flow and support the system in moving the fluid in one direction to achieve its purpose (Breslin et al., 2018).

Next, we have our lymph nodes, bean shaped structures located throughout the lymphatic network, predominately located at our neck, armpits, and groin. Lymph nodes are the destination site for the immunity cells or “lymphocytes”, so when lymph is transported through these nodes, pathogens and viruses can be eliminated (Randolph et al., 2017).

Finally, we have our transporting ducts. The cisterna chyli, responsible for transporting all lymph from our lower limbs to the upper part of the body and the thoracic duct; responsible for transporting lymph back to our subclavian vein and into the cardiovascular system, to then be flushed out of the body (Randolph et al., 2017).

 

 

References:

Breslin, J. W., Yang, Y., Scallan, J. P., Sweat, R. S., Adderley, S. P., & Murfee, W. L. (2018). Lymphatic vessel network structure and physiology. Comprehensive Physiology, 9(1), 207.

Lemole.G., (2022). Critically Important and All but Ignored: Lymphatic Drainage Flow. Retrieved from: https://www.theepochtimes.com/critically-important-and-all-but-ignored-lymphatic-flow_4281129.html?utm_source=healthnoe&utm_campaign=health-2022-02-24&utm_medium=email&est=IGHSBaKY5Bbga4L7BcCBABhbRrC9k78alUC1U7simU8a0nxfyCSOMcEfsEMmTWsFAAQ%3D

Randolph, G. J., Ivanov, S., Zinselmeyer, B. H., & Scallan, J. P. (2017). The lymphatic system: integral roles in immunity. Annual review of immunology, 35, 31.