Chapter 1: Lymphatic System
Section 1: What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphatic vessels, nodes and organs. It is part of the immune system and
works complimentarily with the circuitry and digestive system. It is part of the immune system as organs and nodes help
store white blood cells such as Lymphocytes to mature that all work together to fight infectious pathogens. The Lymphatic
system is part of the circuitry system as it aids in filtering tissue fluid and transporting blood plasma and blood cells back
into the blood stream. The Lymphatic system also aids the digestive system as it helps move the product of lipids in the
blood.(1,4)
Section 2: What Does the Lymphatic system do?
→ Formation and transport of Lymph/ removal of interstitial fluid from tissues
Lymph capillaries run around your body especially in site of gas exchange between the blood and tissue. During this
process a lot of plasma is also left behind into the interstitial space. Lymph vessels come along and absorb all the tissue
fluid present. This includes extra fluid draining from cells and tissues that are not reabsorbed into capillaries and other
substances. Among the other substances are proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign
invaders pathogens. Lymph also carries and transport white blood cells (1). This is important as if the lymphatic system
didn’t remove the interstitial fluid it would build up and lead to severe swelling also known as oedema (4). When the
tissue fluid/interstitial fluid present enters the lymph capillaries it is known as lymph and is transported through the lymph
vessels to be filtered and return red blood cells and plasma into the blood stream. Lymph is transported through lymph
vessels due to many mechanisms such as valves, smooth muscle and skeletal muscles. (4,6)
→ Formation and transport of Lymphocytes
White blood cells are important in helping against pathogens. These white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow
and develop into the thymus gland and bone marrow until they mature to be released into lymph vessels to travel and
migrate to different lymph nodes. This includes T-Cells and B cells which are types of white blood cells. These white
blood cells then move from node to node through lymph vessels to engulf pathogens as pathogens are also attracted to the
nodes. (,46)
→ Maintenance of hydrostatic pressure
Lymph fluid that is present in the lymph vessels eventually is dumped back into the blood stream by lymphatic ducts. The
right lymphatic duct is responsible for collecting and returning lymph from the right side of the upper torso right arm and
right region of head whereas the left thoracic duct is responsible for the rest of the body. This means when the fluid
drains back into the blood stream the blood volume increases which helps maintain the constant hydrostatic blood
pressure which helps fluid move in blood vessels. (4)
→ Absorption of fats from the digestive system
The lymphatic system also aids the digestive system in absorbing products of lipids into the blood stream. This is possible
due to the presence of the lacteal in the villi. The products of lipids are found in the ileum wall. The presence of these
lacteals within the villi allows products of fats to pass through them which then leads them into the lymph vessels. These
lymph vessels then drain the nutrients into the bloodstream.
Chapter 2: Lymphedema
Section 1: Lymphedema:
What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is the build-up of lymphatic fluid (Lymph fluid). Lymph, also known as tissue fluid, is the collection of
excess substances in our body, for example, extra fluid left by cells and tissues not absorbed by the capillaries. Some other
substances that compose the lymphatic fluid include proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells and
Section 1: What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphatic vessels, nodes and organs. It is part of the immune system and
works complimentarily with the circuitry and digestive system. It is part of the immune system as organs and nodes help
store white blood cells such as Lymphocytes to mature that all work together to fight infectious pathogens. The Lymphatic
system is part of the circuitry system as it aids in filtering tissue fluid and transporting blood plasma and blood cells back
into the blood stream. The Lymphatic system also aids the digestive system as it helps move the product of lipids in the
blood.(1,4)
Section 2: What Does the Lymphatic system do?
→ Formation and transport of Lymph/ removal of interstitial fluid from tissues
Lymph capillaries run around your body especially in site of gas exchange between the blood and tissue. During this
process a lot of plasma is also left behind into the interstitial space. Lymph vessels come along and absorb all the tissue
fluid present. This includes extra fluid draining from cells and tissues that are not reabsorbed into capillaries and other
substances. Among the other substances are proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign
invaders pathogens. Lymph also carries and transport white blood cells (1). This is important as if the lymphatic system
didn’t remove the interstitial fluid it would build up and lead to severe swelling also known as oedema (4). When the
tissue fluid/interstitial fluid present enters the lymph capillaries it is known as lymph and is transported through the lymph
vessels to be filtered and return red blood cells and plasma into the blood stream. Lymph is transported through lymph
vessels due to many mechanisms such as valves, smooth muscle and skeletal muscles. (4,6)
→ Formation and transport of Lymphocytes
White blood cells are important in helping against pathogens. These white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow
and develop into the thymus gland and bone marrow until they mature to be released into lymph vessels to travel and
migrate to different lymph nodes. This includes T-Cells and B cells which are types of white blood cells. These white
blood cells then move from node to node through lymph vessels to engulf pathogens as pathogens are also attracted to the
nodes. (,46)
→ Maintenance of hydrostatic pressure
Lymph fluid that is present in the lymph vessels eventually is dumped back into the blood stream by lymphatic ducts. The
right lymphatic duct is responsible for collecting and returning lymph from the right side of the upper torso right arm and
right region of head whereas the left thoracic duct is responsible for the rest of the body. This means when the fluid
drains back into the blood stream the blood volume increases which helps maintain the constant hydrostatic blood
pressure which helps fluid move in blood vessels. (4)
→ Absorption of fats from the digestive system
The lymphatic system also aids the digestive system in absorbing products of lipids into the blood stream. This is possible
due to the presence of the lacteal in the villi. The products of lipids are found in the ileum wall. The presence of these
lacteals within the villi allows products of fats to pass through them which then leads them into the lymph vessels. These
lymph vessels then drain the nutrients into the bloodstream.
Chapter 2: Lymphedema
Section 1: Lymphedema:
What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is the build-up of lymphatic fluid (Lymph fluid). Lymph, also known as tissue fluid, is the collection of
excess substances in our body, for example, extra fluid left by cells and tissues not absorbed by the capillaries. Some other
substances that compose the lymphatic fluid include proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells and
