2. • The lymphatic system
belongs to the
circulatory system.
• This system provides
one way for the blood
to leave the heart, the
arterial system, and
two ways for it to
return: the venous and
lymphatic pathways.
3. Lymph Fluid
The lymphatic system is of
primary importance in
transporting fat from the
intestines to the blood
stream, in removing and
destroying toxic substances,
regenerating tissues and in
maintaining a healthy
immune system.
It is comprised of three main
elements: lymph fluid,
vessels and nodes working
together to accomplish these
functions.
Lymph is formed when high
arterial pressure forces fluid
out of the capillaries and into
the tissue.
4. Lymph and Lymph Vessels
In contrast to the blood circulation,
which uses the pumping of the heart
to circulate its flow, lymph is
propelled through the vessels
primarily by the rhythmic
contractions of tiny muscular units
(lymphangions) which form the
lymph collectors.
The lymphatic system has a slow
rhythm, low velocity and low
pressure. You have twice as many
lymph vessels and capillaries as you
have blood vessels and capillaries!
6. Lymph Nodes
The lymph vessels transport the lymph to the
lymph nodes, which are soft, ovoid organs lying
along the course of lymphatic vessels.
They range in size from 2 - 25 mm. There can be
from 400 - 700 nodes scattered throughout the
human body.
Half of them are located in the abdomen; many
are in the cervical (neck) region. The main
groups of nodes are found in the major
articulations of the body, with the exception of the
wrists.
7. Lymph
Nodes
Lymph nodes are filtration
and purification stations for
the lymph.
In the nodes, specific immune
cells destroy foreign or
unwanted substances which
can then be handled by the
liver and flushed out of the
body via the organs of
elimination (digestive
apparatus, urinary tract, skin
and lungs).
Lymph nodes are not only
part of the lymphatic system,
but are also lymphoid organs,
and are linked to the immune
system.
8. Function of Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes filter the lymph and also contain
large numbers of white blood cells (a big part of
the immune system), which remove foreign cells
and debris from the lymph.
When you get certain infections, the lymph nodes
swell with billions of white blood cells working to
clear the foreign cells that are causing the
infection.
The filtered lymph then flows back into the
blood stream at certain points.
9. Lymph Diseases
There are multiple “stressors” that negatively
affect the immune system: age, viruses and
bacteria, drugs and certain medical therapies,
allergies, autoimmune disorders, malignancies,
immunodeficiency's, environmental toxins, and
even thoughts and emotions.
11. Lymphedema
If not working properly, fluid builds in
your tissues and causes swelling, called
lymphedema. Other lymphatic
system problems can include
infections, blockage,
and cancer.
12. Keep you Lymphatic System Healthy
Did you know that the lymph system is twice
the size of our other circulatory system? It true.
Twice as much lymph as blood is present in
our bodies, and we have twice as many lymph
vessels and capillaries as blood vessels. The
key to health is to keep your lymphatic system
open and flowing freely.
13. Keep your Lymphatic System Healthy
The lymphatic system is as essential to bodily
function as the bloodstream it complements.
To keep it clear, you need to increase its
drainage capacity or reduce its intake of toxins.
One can do both through diet, stress reduction,
exercise and deep breathing. Deep breathing is
important, because it makes your lymphatic
system work better.
14. Prevention of disease by maintaining a
healthy lymphatic system
Previously noted, the lymph system doesn’t
have a heart to keep it flowing. It is dependent
on contraction of the muscles and breathing.
So, breathe deeply and exercise. No matter
what exercise you choose, the important thing
is to do it regularly and habitually. No matter
what exercise you prefer, the key is
consistency.
