Lymphatic system: function, anatomy and diseases

The lymphatic system is a complex set of lymphoid organs, tissues, vessels and ducts, which are distributed throughout the body, whose main functions are to produce and mature the body's defense cells, in addition to draining and filtering excess body fluid., directing it into the bloodstream.

This uptake of liquid, called lymph, happens through capillaries, which are thin vessels that communicate with cells, and when reaching deeper levels in the body, capillaries become larger lymphatic vessels. During circulation in the lymphatic vessels, the lymph passes through organs, such as the lymph nodes, adenoids and spleen, responsible for the production, storage and maturation of cells of the immune system, such as lymphocytes, responsible for the defense and combat of foreign microorganisms.

Situations related to the lymphatic system

Some situations can cause changes in the functioning of the system, resulting in diseases, such as:

1. Filariasis

Filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a major disease of the lymphatic system and is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti , which is transmitted to people through the bite of the mosquito of the genus Culex sp.. In this disease, the parasite reaches the vessels lymphatics and causes obstruction of lymph flow resulting in swelling of the organ that has had its circulation obstructed. Learn more about the symptoms of filariasis.

2. Cancer

Some types of cancer can cause impairment of the lymphatic circulation by reaching its vessels and organs, as in the case of lymphoma, in which there is dysregulation of the proliferation of lymphocytes, which are cells responsible for the defense of the organism and which are part of the lymphatic system. Due to the rapid proliferation of lymphocytes, they accumulate and result in tumor formation, in addition to compromising lymphatic circulation.

In addition, the lymphatic system can be altered due to metastasis or growth of tumors, such as breast, abdominal or head and neck, leading to changes in the functioning of the lymphatic system.

See what can cause lymphatic cancer.

3. Injuries to organs that are part of the lymphatic system

Lesions in the bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes or spleen, which are organs that form the lymphatic system, due to strokes or as a result of treatments can also alter the lymphatic circulation. This situation is more likely to happen in the case of women who have undergone breast cancer treatment with radiography, causing changes in the drainage capacity of the lymph, in addition to having also undergone the removal of the lymph nodes from the armpit region.

4. Malformation of the lymphatic system

Malformations of the lymphatic system also result in changes in the circulation of the lymph and are more frequent due to changes in the vessels or lymph nodes.

By impairing the correct circulation of lymph into the bloodstream, these situations give rise to lymphedema, which is the swelling in the body produced by the accumulation of lymph and fluid in the body's tissues.

Anatomy of the lymphatic system

This important system is composed of a complex network of cells, vessels, tissues and organs, which perform various functions. The main components include:

1. Lymph

It is the liquid that travels through the lymphatic circulation, usually originating from the leakage of liquid from the blood stream into the tissue around the cells.

Function: the liquid outside the vessels is able to bathe the cells, offering the necessary nutrients, but when captured by the lymphatic current, it becomes lymph, which is taken to the heart, in order to return to the bloodstream.

2. Capillaries and lymphatic vessels

Capillaries are small, thin lymphatic vessels, which come into contact with the body's cells and capture liquids, and as they carry lymph to the heart, they grow and form the larger lymphatic vessels and ducts.

Function: they capture and absorb the liquid and proteins around the cells, preventing the accumulation of fluids and swelling in the body.

3. Lymphatic ducts

They are large lymphatic channels, known as the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct, where the lymphatic circulation flows before reaching the bloodstream.

Function: the thoracic duct collects and conducts most of the body's lymph to the blood, whereas the lymphatic duct is responsible for draining the lymph from the entire right upper limb and the right side of the head, neck and chest into the current. blood.

4. Lymphatic organs

They are organs spread along the path of the lymphatic vessels, which have different sizes, structures and functions, and can be stimulated whenever there is an infection or inflammation. The main ones are:

• Bone marrow: it is a structure located within large bones, which has the function of forming the various cells that make up the body's circulation, including lymphocytes, which are the defense cells of the lymphatic system; Thymus: it is a gland located in the upper part of the chest, which has the function of developing and proliferating the T lymphocytes that came from the bone marrow, which then go to the other lymphoid tissues, where they become active for the immune response; Lymph nodes: are small rounded organs, spread along the lymph vessels, responsible for filtering the lymph, removing microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, and other particles from the circulation, in addition to being responsible for the maturation and storage of lymph nodes, which are ready to act against infections. Spleen: it is a large lymphatic organ, located in the upper left part of the abdomen, responsible for the storage and maturation of lymphocytes, in addition to filtering the blood, eliminating microorganisms and aged cells.

In addition, there are tonsils, known as tonsils and adenoids, which are clusters of lymph nodes, located in the mouth, lower region of the tongue and pharynx, in addition to the Peyer plates, located in the intestine, which are also responsible for producing cells of the system immune and help protect against microorganisms.

What is lymphatic drainage for

Lymphatic drainage is a procedure that consists of performing a massage with gentle movements, which aims to stimulate and facilitate the circulation of lymph through its vessels, and reach the bloodstream more quickly.

As the lymphatic system does not have a pumping, as done by the heart in the bloodstream, this massage can help in the return of lymph, especially in people who suffer from fragility of these vessels and who have a tendency to accumulate fluids in the tissues.

When done with the correct technique, this procedure can be useful to eliminate any swelling on the face or body. Check out what the benefits are and how manual lymphatic drainage is done.