The Lymphatic System: What Function In The Organism?
The circulatory system is known to most people, but few people know the function of the lymphatic system in the body. Despite shoo, the lymph plays a fundamental role in the human body, and is another type of circulation, connected to the blood, without which we cannot live.
The lymphatic system carries the lymph from the tissues to the blood, in one way. That is, it has only one path, in only one direction, and that does not go back on itself.
Lymph is a liquid that is produced in the middle of the tissues, as a result of the filtration of the blood. We could say that in its first phase it is called interstitial fluid, which comes from the blood filtered by the arteries and enters the cells of the body.
The lymph, therefore, will continue to accumulate in the tissues as long as there is a rush of blood. To avoid this stagnation, the lymphatic system drains it between the cells to return it to the blood circulation system.
What are the parts of the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system performs its function in the body through its various components. Lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes push and lead the lymph on its path.
Lymph
Lymph is a liquid that comes from the filtering of the blood. It is found in the middle of tissues as an interstitial fluid and contains proteins, salts and white blood cells. It is colorless, unlike blood.
To move through the lymphatic system, the lymph uses the strength of the muscles. There is no pump that stimulates circulation, as the heart does with blood.
Through the habitual movement of the muscles (when we walk, play sports, perform daily activities), the muscle fibers move the lymph. For this reason, it is a much slower circulation than blood circulation.
Lymphatic vessels
Like blood vessels, i.e. arteries and veins, are part of the circulatory system, lymphatic vessels belong to the lymphatic system. Their walls are similar to those of the veins, and are equipped with valves to prevent lymphatic return.
The lymphatic vessels that enter the tissues are small, to the point of refinement as capillaries. In this way, they can take the interstitial fluid and lead it forward. Starting from the capillaries, these vessels grow to form the two main ducts:
- Right lymphatic
- Thoracic
Both conduits carry blood into the nervous system. The receiving veins are the superior cava and the left subclavian.
Lymph nodes
Ganglia are the best known components of the lymphatic system. Although people don’t really know what their function is, everyone knows that the increase in the size of the lymph nodes is a warning sign.
A lymph node is a lump in the lymphatic system that measures less than a centimeter under normal conditions. Generally, they cluster together, being various ganglia close together.
They have the task of filtering the lymph that passes through them and producing defense cells such as white blood cells. Many external microorganisms, such as defective cells, will have to be filtered by the ganglia so that they do not continue their pathogenic path. In these cases, when they find something abnormal, they grow in size.
The functions of the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system has a circulatory and protective function. It circulates the lymph so that it joins the circulating blood and at the same time controls the entry of substances and microorganisms at all times to block pathogens. In summary, we can say that the functions of the lymphatic system are three:
- Circulatory: the lymphatic vessels collect the lymph from the tissues to pour it into the circulatory system. Through muscle movement, they push the liquid throughout the body so that it moves and does not stagnate. The valves present along the path ensure the unidirectionality of the lymph, preventing it from going back.
- Filtering: the lymphatic system acts as a filter. Some substances are large or have a certain molecular weight for the circulatory system. In these cases, the lymphatic vessels intervene, transporting what cannot be done with the blood.
- Immune: Lymph nodes fight infections. As capable of producing white blood cells, these organs are activated if they find an agent foreign to the organism that can be pathogenic. They also play a vital role in the perception of cancer. The lymph nodes recognize the mutated cells that cause tumors and have the ability to remove them.
The lymphatic system is vital. If it did not exist, fluid would accumulate in the tissues, and we would be much more prone to infections.
