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Let's explain the lymphatic system
Why is the Lymphatic System Important?
Understanding the lymphatic system is crucial for maintaining good health and providing effective self-care. It is an essential part of the body's immune and circulatory systems. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infections, regulating fluid balance, and removing toxins.
My first reaction to being diagnosed with lymphoedema was 'lymph what?' Like many people, I thought I knew about lymph nodes. 'They are related to cancer, aren't they?
As a child, did you remember your mother looking for swollen glands around your neck or jawline when you had a sore throat? This action would determine if a trip to the GP was necessary for antibiotics or if you were sent to school since your mother believed you were not sick. How many of us would have known that this simple action checked a section of the lymphatic system? Did you know that these are your cervical lymph nodes? These are found in the neck region.
Veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart from numerous bodily areas. Their walls are thinner than arteries and frequently feature valves to prevent blood backflow. Veins help circulate blood and filter waste products.
Oxygenated blood leaves the heart via arteries. They can handle heart-pumped blood pressure due to their strong, elastic walls. Arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs.
The lymphatic system maintains fluid balance, absorbs digesting lipids, and aids the immune system. These vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, waste, and other chemicals, across the body and into the bloodstream.
Each of these systems is vital for maintaining overall health and ensuring that the body's cells receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products.
Understanding the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems, particularly their functions in fluid balance, immune response, and nutrient absorption.
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Lymphatic Fluid Movement: The lymphatic system collects fluid squeezed out by the heart's pumping action, returning it to circulation through a network of vessels without a dedicated pump, utilising valves and muscle contractions for one-way flow.
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Cardiovascular System Function: The cardiovascular system pumps blood through vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells, with high pressure causing fluid to leak from capillaries, which is then collected by the lymphatic system.
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Infection and Immune Response: The lymphatic system aids the immune system by transporting bacteria and macrophages to lymph nodes, where B and T cells can respond to infections, preventing bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
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Nutrient Absorption: The lymphatic system also transports fats from the small intestine, packaged as chylomicrons, into the bloodstream, facilitated by specialised lymphatic vessels called lacteals.
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Composition of Lymph: Lymph, derived from blood, contains water, proteins, and other small molecules but lacks red blood cells, with protein composition varying based on the body's location.
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Overall Purpose of the Lymphatic System: The lymphatic system's three main functions are fluid balance, immune support, and transporting nutrients and waste products into the bloodstream.
From the diagrams, see how the lymphatic system is connected to every aspect of our bodies.
This page was first published 2016
Last Updated March 2025
Next review: 2026