#Lymph nodes function pdf#
#Lymph nodes function series#

Lymph flows through several key lymphoid organs, where its composition is monitored and modified. For this reason, like veins, most of the larger lymphatic vessels are equipped with valves to prevent the backflow of lymph under the influence of gravity. However, in many respects, the lymphatic vessels are structurally similar to veins: they have relatively thin walls and carry lymph under low pressure. Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system is not a closed system and does not have a discrete pump analogous to the heart. The lymphatic vessels form the conduits of the lymphatic system, and a watery fluid called lymph runs through them the term ‘lymph’ comes from the Latin word lympha, meaning water. The major anatomical components of the lymphatic system are highlighted in Fig 1. The lymphatic system can be thought of as a second circulatory system that runs in parallel, and in conjunction, with the cardiovascular system it extends into every major region of the body, with the notable exceptions of the brain and spinal cord (Moore and Bertram, 2018). “Oedema that occurs as a result of poor drainage of the lymphatic system is usually referred to as lymphoedema” The lymphatic system It also examines factors that can compromise lymphatic flow, briefly explores the role of the lymphatic system in fat transportation, and introduces the overlap and synergy between the lymphatic and immune systems. It provides an overview of the structure and function of the lymphatic system, focusing primarily on its role in tissue drainage.

#Lymph nodes function series#

This is the first article in a six-part series examining the lymphatic system and immunity. Click here to see other articles in this series.

#Lymph nodes function pdf#

Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here (if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser).This article has been double-blind peer reviewed.Nursing Times 116: 10, 39-43.Īuthor: John Knight is associate professor in biomedical science Yamni Nigam is professor in biomedical science both at the College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University. Part 2 will focus on the lymphatic organs, part 3 will examine immunity in more detail, part 4 will discuss allergies, anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, part 5 will focus on vaccinations and immunological memory, and part 6 will discuss immunotherapies.Ĭitation: Knight J, Nigam Y (2020) The lymphatic system 1: structure, function and oedema. It also examines the causes, symptoms and treatment of oedema.

It discusses how the system is structured and how it functions, focusing on tissue drainage, fat transportation and activation of immune responses. This article is the first in a six-part series about the lymphatic system.