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Human Lymphatic System

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24 views4 pages

Human Lymphatic System

Uploaded by

hasithara19911007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lymphatic System

Your lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and tissues that work
together to move a colorless, watery fluid (lymph) back into your circulatory
system (your bloodstream).

As a vital part of your immune system, your lymphatic system protects you
from infection and destroys old or abnormal cells your body doesn’t need.
Lymphatic system functions also include maintaining normal fluid levels in
your body and absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins so they can make
their way into your bloodstream.

Every day, about 20 liters of plasma (the liquid part of your blood) flow out
of tiny pores in the thin walls of your capillaries. Imagine water seeping out
of a sponge. Where does this liquid go? It delivers oxygen and nutrients to
the tissues surrounding each capillary. The tissues hungrily soak up all the
nutrients while leaving behind waste (like a kid who finishes the ir food but
leaves behind a pile of sticky napkins).

The plasma doesn’t mind cleaning up the mess — it picks up the waste and
then returns to your bloodstream the same way it came, by flowing back
through the pores in your capillary walls. Each day, about 17 liters of plasma
return to your bloodstream in this way. Since 20 liters initially flowed out
of your capillary walls that means 3 liters are still roaming around in your
body’s tissues.

That’s where your lymphatic system steps in. Tiny lymphatic capillaries pick
up this remaining fluid from your tissues. The fluid changed its name during
its journey: now instead of plasma, it’s called lymph. Your lymphati c
capillaries move the lymph into larger tubes called lymphatic vessels.

These vessels keep the lymph moving until it ultimately reaches one of two
major ducts in your upper chest. These are called your right lymphatic duct
and thoracic duct, and they’re a bit like highway on-ramps. They merge into
large veins called your subclavian veins and empty the lymph into them.
From there, your lymph reenters your bloodstream and can flow through
your body again.
Parts of the Lymphatic System

Lymphatic system is a big team. Other key players include your:


 Lymph. Lymph, also called lymphatic fluid, is a collection of the extra
fluid that drains from cells and tissues in your body and isn’t
reabsorbed into your capillaries. Lymph contains many different
substances, including proteins, minerals, fats, damaged cells, cancer
cells and germs. Lymph also transports infection-fighting white blood
cells (lymphocytes).
 Lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are tubes that form a complex
network throughout your body. The smallest tubes are lymphatic
capillaries, which ultimately connect to larger tubes that lead to two
main ducts in your upper chest. The pulsing of nearby arteries and
squeezing of nearby muscles help fluid move through your lymphatic
vessels. These vessels contain one-way valves that keep lymph moving
the right way.
 Collecting ducts. Two main ducts in your upper chest empty lymph
into your subclavian veins. These are your right lymphatic duct and
thoracic duct. These ducts are like highway on-ramps or merging
points where lymph rejoins your bloodstream.
 Tonsils and adenoids. These structures trap pathogens from the food
you eat and the air you take in. They’re part of your body’s first line
of defense against invaders. Your tonsils are in the back of your
throat. Your adenoids are just behind your nasal cavity but are only
active during childhood.
Lymphatic System Organs
The organs of the lymphatic system are your:
 Bone marrow. This is the soft, spongy tissue in the center of certain
bones, like your hip bone, backbones and breastbone. Your bone
marrow has the vital job of making white blood cells, red blood cells
and platelets.
 Thymus. This organ is located in your upper chest beneath your
breastbone, and it’s most active before puberty. It’s where T -cells (a
type of white blood cell) fully mature. T-cells help your body fight off
invaders.
 Lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands that monitor and
cleanse lymph as it filters through them. They clear out damaged cells
and cancer cells. Your lymph nodes also store lymphocytes and other
immune system cells that attack and destroy harmful substances like
bacteria. You have about 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout your
body. Some are closely connected in groups called ch ains. You may be
able to feel some lymph nodes through your skin, in areas like your
armpits, groin or neck. Others are deeper inside your body.
 Spleen. This largest lymphatic organ is located on your left side under
your ribs and above your stomach. Your spleen filters your blood and
removes cells that are old or not working properly. It also keeps red
blood cells and platelets available in case your body needs them.
 Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). This mucus membrane
exists throughout your body in many important locations. For
example, it lines your tonsils, airways, small intestine and appendix.
MALT looks for and destroys germs that could harm you.
Functions of the Lymphatic System
Lymphatic system has many functions. Its key functions include:
 Collecting excess fluid from your body’s tissues and returning it to
your bloodstream. This supports healthy fluid levels in your body.
Your lymphatic system also filters out waste products and abnormal
cells from this fluid.
 Helping your body absorb fats. Most nutrients can travel through tiny
openings (pores) in the walls of your capillaries, and your body can
then absorb and use them. But certain fats and other molec ules are
too large to travel in this way. Your lymphatic system collects fluid
from your intestines that contains these molecules and transports it
back to your bloodstream.
 Protecting your body against invaders. Your lymphatic system is part
of your immune system. It produces and releases lymphocytes (a type
of white blood cell) and other immune cells. These cells look for and
destroy invaders — such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi —
that may enter your body.

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