What is the Lymphatic System and what role does it play in the body?
You’ve heard of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes because someone (your friend, family member, colleague, neighbour…) mentioned it. But truth be told, you aren’t really quite sure what on earth it is or what it does — don’t worry, you are not alone.
Let’s unpack this together!
In summary: The Lymphatic system is closely connected to the circulatory system, and it plays an important role in immune function as well as draining excess fluid in the body.
The main components of this system include the lymph capillaries, lymph vessels, lymph organs (lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus), 2 main lymph collecting ducts (the Right Lymphatic duct and the Thoracic duct), and the subclavian veins.
This system moves lymph that’s hanging out on the outside of the cells back into the bloodstream, filters and removes waste that we don’t need, and supports the immune system by releasing immune cells to deal with sickness, including destroying abnormal cells that could potentially turn into something harmful.
How exactly does lymph flow throughout the body?
Glad ya asked! Blood capillaries leak some fluid, and while most is reabsorbed by these blood capillaries, some isn’t. This fluid stems from blood plasma, and can have things like lipids (fats) and protein in it, too.
The lymphatic capillaries pick up this extra fluid (now called lymph) + molecules and some lipids that are too big to get back into the blood, and move everything along to the larger lymph vessels (either through the contraction of your skeletal muscles or smooth muscles in your vessels).
Lymph from the vessels then enters the collecting ducts. There are two ducts in the body: the right lymphatic duct (lymph from the right upper part of your body drains here), and the left thoracic duct (lymph from the entire rest of your body drains here!)
From here, the lymph drains into the subclavian veins near the collarbone in the neck, and back into the circulatory system — back into the blood.
But what about the Lymph nodes??
We have approximately 600 of these fantastic bean-shaped lymph nodes scattered in groupings throughout our body, and as the lymph flows through them, they get rid of damaged and potentially harmful cells. There are clusters of nodes in various areas of the body, such as the armpits (axillae), groin, neck, face, and groups deeper in the body.
Think of these structures as little filtering stations that also house immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages). The lymph nodes filter out things the body doesn’t need and the immune cells inside them target different pathogens (bacteria and viruses). These immune cells include lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that filter and destroy these pathogens, and macrophages, cells that envelop and destroy pathogens.
To recap: The Lymphatic system supports the body by moving fluid and helpful molecules back into the bloodstream, by filtering and removing cellular debris, and strengthening the immune system by destroying potentially harmful cells and pathogens.
So now you know what the Lymphatic system is, and the main roles it plays in the body!
Until next time!
-Genesis Wellness Inc.