Why Is The Lymphatic System Important

A. Compare and contrast afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels. Describe in one way in which they are similar and one way they are different.

Works in conjunction with the blood supply to carry waste products away from the area.

The human body consists mostly of water, and is a major constituent to the human body and vital organs; of this 90% include blood plasma, lymph, urine, saliva, digestive juices, bile, cerebrospinal fluid and tissue fluid. Water enables substances to be transported throughout the body, red blood cells for example, as wells as supplying the medium required for metabolic reaction to take place (respiration). Without water the progression of these fluids would not be possible. Water is constantly being transported between the fluid compartments of the

One of the most important organs of the lymphatic system within the body's blood filter process is the spleen. This organ does a variety of things to help keep healthy blood available to be shipped to the body for pathogen-fighting purposes. The spleen normally is about a fist size. The oval clump of blood vessels intertwined with strands of connective tissue is separated into two parts. The blood vessels that make up a large content of the spleen, are called splenic sinusoids. The organ is normally found in the left upper part of the abdomen, above the stomach, it is mostly protected by the lower ribs. This particular organ is a definite vital part in cleaning the body's blood supply. In most cases people can live without their spleen (Rettner, 2013). This of course comes with extra precautions to help fight infections but a normal life can exist. The dark purplish red mass helps to filter the blood through its many passageways of blood vessels and is soft in texture.

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: THE NETWORK OF VESSELS THROUGH WHICH LYMPH DRAINS FROM THE TISSUES INTO THE BLOOD. – OXFORD ONLINE DICTIONARIES

Three of the body’s physical and chemical barriers against infection are the skin, the respiratory tract and the immune system. The skin prevents microorganisms from entering the body. The respiratory tract is lined with mucous membranes and cells that sweep out foreign matter, while other particles may be eliminated through a cough. The immune system defends against infection through cells that distinguish foreign cells from the bodies own cells. The immune system is able to eliminate microorganisms from the body.

Lymphatic massage was introduced in the 1930s by Danish physiotherapists Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife (Benjamin, 2010). His wife Astrid Vodder practiced naturopath. Emil Vodder studied at the University of Copenhagen for biology, botany, and mineralogy, later began showing interest in the physical medicine along with the lymphatic system. Vodder knew many scientists who had studied the mysterious “clear water” centuries ago, scientist such as Gaspare Aselli (1581–1626) who discovered the lacteal vessels in the lymphatic system, Jean Pecquet (1622-1674) described the cisterna chyli and the thoracic duct leading to the venous arch (Wittlinger, 2004). Olaus Rudbeck discovered the lymph vessels of the colon and rectum and confirmed that these vessels lead to the cisterna chyli as Aselli had described already. Rudbeck was the first who discovered that the lymph from the tissue runs into lymph vessels and to the thoracic duct back to the blood circulation. In the 18th century it was discovered that the whole body contained lymph vessels and that the task of the lymph vessel system is to absorb tissue liquid. Vodder and his wife moved to Paris, France in 1933 to practice the modality on his patients (Wittlinger, 2004). The concept of lymph drainage by massage therapy is similar to opening a valve of a tube filled with water and allowing the water to flow into another tube to release pressure and alleviate build up in the lymph nodes. The carefully circling pumping movements

The lymphatic system are a complex network of specialised cells and organs that defend the body against infection. Lymphatic organs include the bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, appendix and clumps of tissue in the small bowel. A function of the lymphatic system is to nurture and mature the B and T-lymphocytes (white blood cells vital to immune function). Cancerous changes can take place

The purpose of this exercise is to learn about the lymphatic system and how it works and helps the human body. Why we need it and the components associated with the lymphatic system.

The organs that make up the lymphatic and immune system are the tonsils, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. White blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), plasma, and platelets (thrombocytes) make up the blood. Lymphocytes are leukocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight off diseases. Two types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. Lymphocytes recognize antigens, or foreign substances/matter, in the body. Lymphocytes are a classification of agranulocytes, or cells (-cytes) without (a-) granules (granul/o) in the cytoplasm. B cells are created from stem cells, which are located in the bone marrow. B cells respond to antigens by becoming plasma cells. These plasma cells then create antibodies. Memory B cells produce a stronger response with the next exposure to the antigen. B cells fight off infection and bacteria while T cells defend against viruses and cancer cells. A hormone created by the thymus gland called thymosin changes lymphocytes into T cells. The thymus gland is active when you are a child and slowly shrinks, as you get older. T cells bind to the antigens on the cells and directly attack them. T cells secrete lymphokines that increase T cell production and directly kill cells with antigens. There are three types of T cells: cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and memory T cells.

In addition to the circulatory system, lymphatic system also participates in both acute and chronic inflammation. The main function of lymphatic system during inflammation is to maintain tissue hemostasis by draining extravascular fluids and macromolecules, which helps drain interstatial fluid that accumulates because of increased vascular permeability. Lymphatic system also plays a role in immune surveillance during normal and inflammatory conditions. The lymphatic vessels help clear antigens and antigen-presenting cells by collecting interstatial fluid. Lymphatic vessels are the principle conduit for to antigens and antigen-presenting cells from peripheral tissues to the lymph nodes,

The lymphatic system is collected of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs. The functions of this system include the absorption of excess fluid and its return to the blood stream, absorption of fat (in the villi of the small intestine) and the immune system function.

Circulatory system comprises of two main systems. One is cardio vascular system and the other is lymphatic system. The lymphatic system comprises of a fluid known as lymph that circulates within lymphatic nodes, vessels, organs and tissues. Cardiovascular system is also known as vascular system or circulatory system. It functions to circulate blood through out the body and to supply nutrients to maintain homeostasis. The circulated blood transport nutrients and electrolytes for example oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hormones to meet the requirements of the body.

The lymphatic system works in three ways. It helps to control the balance of the body’s fluids by draining and cleansing fluid that seeps from the circulatory system during normal cardiovascular circulation. As fluid leaves the circulatory system it enters the tissue cells and whilst the majority of it diffuses back into the vessels of the circulatory system, the remainder enters the open ends of the lymph vessels. The lymphatic system also works with the villi in the digestive system to help deliver fats and absorbed nutrients in the digested food we eat, back to the circulatory system. This fluid is not called

The system being attacked is the lymphatic system. We knew this because he was pronounced with edema. Edema is a condition where there is excess watery fluid in the cavities or tissues throughout the body. It was known that the lymphatic system returns leaked fluid to the blood vessels. The lymphatic system disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream. This system plays a very important role. It is in charge of housing the white blood cells that are involved in the immune systems.