The blood in our blood vessels is under constant pressure. All of the fluids and its contents that leak out into the tissues as well as waste products formed in the tissues, and bacteria that enter them through our skin are removed from them by the lymphatic system.
When the lymphatic system does not drain fluids from the tissues properly, the tissues swell, appearing puffy and uncomfortable. If the swelling only lasts for a short period it is called oedema. If it lasts longer more than about three months it is called lymphoedema. The lymphatic vessels are found everywhere in our body. Generally, more active areas have more of them. The smaller lymphatic vessels, which take up the fluids, are called lymph capillaries.
The larger lymphatic vessels have muscles in their walls which helps them gently and slowly pulsate. These larger lymphatic vessels also have valves that stop the lymph flowing back the wrong way.
Lymph vessels take the lymph back to the lymph nodes there are about of these in total , which are found in our arm pit and groin as well as many other areas of the body such as the mouth, throat and intestines. The fluid that arrives in the lymph nodes is checked and filtered. Most of it continues on to where the lymphatic system from most of our body the left arm, tummy, chest, and legs empties out at the left shoulder area.
Lymph from the right arm and face and part of the right chest empties into the blood at the right shoulder area. The spleen is located in the abdominal tummy area on the left side, just under the diaphragm.
It is the largest of our lymphatic organs. The spleen does many things as it filters and monitors our blood. As well as removing microbes, the spleen also destroys old or damaged red blood cells. It can also help in increasing blood volume quickly if a person loses a lot of blood. The thymus is inside the ribcage, just behind the breastbone. It filters and monitors our blood content. It produces cells called T-lymphocytes which circulate around the body. These cells are important for cell mediated response to an immune challenge, such as may occur when we have an infection.
Much of our digestive and respiratory system is lined with lymphatic tissue. This lymphatic tissue plays a very important role in the defence of our body. Following the processes of mechanical and chemical digestion, the products of carbohydrate digestion monosaccharide sugars such as glucose and protein digestion amino acids are absorbed directly through the walls of the villi into the blood capillary network and transported to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
The lymphatic system is a major route for the transportation of the products of fat digestion and, although it carries large amounts of modified lipids, it does not appear to be susceptible to the build-up of fatty plaque that can affect arteries.
Virtually all tissues in the human body are drained by the lymphatic system, therefore, any infections within organs or tissues usually result in the pathogenic particles — bacteria, viruses or fungal cells — circulating in the lymph.
Throughout the lymphatic system, strategically located collections of lymphoid tissue called lymph nodes trap and process pathogens and activate specific immune responses that ultimately lead to pathogen destruction. Adults usually have around of these bean-shaped nodes, which vary in size and typically enlarge and become tender and inflamed in the presence of infection Mohseni et al, Enlargement of the lymph nodes is called lymphadenopathy; swollen, tender nodes are usually readily palpable by experienced clinicians.
Lymph node assessment can provide valuable diagnostic information about potential sites of infection — for example, the cervical lymph nodes of the neck commonly show lymphadenopathy in upper-respiratory-tract or middle-ear infections. The role of lymph nodes in sequestering foreign material and participating in immune responses will be examined in detail in the third part of this series, which examines antibody-mediated immune responses. Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion.
You are here: Immunology. The lymphatic system 1: structure, function and oedema. Abstract This article is the first in a six-part series about the lymphatic system. This article has been double-blind peer reviewed Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser Click here to see other articles in this series. Key points The lymphatic system works in parallel with the cardiovascular system and has a network of vessels and key lymphoid organs The system circulates lymph around the body, draining tissue, transporting fat and activating immune responses An over-accumulation of lymph leads to swelling of the soft tissues called oedema; this includes lymphoedema, which is caused by poor lymphatic drainage.
Also in this series The lymphatic system 2: structure and function of the lymphoid organs The lymphatic system 3: its role in the immune system The lymphatic system 4: allergies, anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock The lymphatic system 5: vaccinations and immunological memory The lymphatic system 6: the history and function of immunotherapies. Greene AK et al Obesity-induced lymphedema nonreversible following massive weight loss.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — Global Ope n; 3: 6, e Herlihy B Lymphatic system. Johnson OW et al The thoracic duct: clinical importance, anatomic variation, imaging, and embolization. European Radiology ; 8, Knight J et al Effects of bedrest 1: introduction and the cardiovascular system. Nursing Times ; 12, Mohammad FI Filarial worms. Journal of International Pharmaceutical Research ; 45, Mohseni S et al Peripheral lymphadenopathy: approach and diagnostic tools.
Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences ; 2 Suppl , Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics ; 1, Nigam Y et al Gastrointestinal tract 4: anatomy and role of the jejunum and ileum.
Nursing Times ; 9, Nitti MD et al Obesity-induced lymphatic dysfunction is reversible with weight loss. The Journal of Physiology ; 23, Rudrappa M, Paul M Chylothorax. Scallan JP et al Lymphatic pumping: mechanics, mechanisms and malfunction. The Journal of Physiology ; 20, Related files. NT Contributor. Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
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