Introduction:
The lymphatic system consists of lymph glands or nodes that are distributed throughout your body the small vessels called lymphatics that link them and spleen. The lymphatic system assists blood circulation by driving excess fluids from blood stream, easing the workload of heart and offers an alternative pathway for return of tissue fluid to bloodstream. It is also responsible for returning proteins lost naturally to tissue and extra cellular spaces, back to the bloodstream.
When circulating blood reaches the capillaries, part of this fluid content passes through capillaries into surrounding tissue as tissue fluid. Most of this tissue fluid re -enters the capillaries at their venous ends. Some of it is, however, returned to circulation through a separate system of lymphatic vessels. These vessels begin as lymphatic capillaries, which drain into larger vessels. Along the course of these lymphatic vessels there are groups of lymph nodes. Lymphatic vessels are difficult to see and special techniques are required to visualize them.
Lymph nodes are small bean like structures that are usually present in groups and normally not palpable in living subject. However, they often become enlarged in disease. They then become palpable and examination of these nodes provides valuable information regarding the progress and spread of disease. There are many lymph nodes (lymph glands) in body situated either superficial under surface of skin or situated deep in the body. Spleen is actually a large lymph gland and is located in the upper left quadrant of abdomen behind ribs.
The thoracic duct is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. It extends from upper part of abdomen to lower part of neck, crossing posterior and superior parts of mediastinum, and finally opens into junction between left sublcavian and left internal jugular veins. It receives lymph from, roughly both halves of body below diaphragm and left half above diaphragm.
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced in bone marrow and the thymus and evolve into their adult form in lymph glands. Lymphocytes recognize foreign cells, infectious agents and other foreign substances and participate in your body’s immune reaction against them. The glands also act as barriers to spread of infection through lymphatic, because they trap infectious agents. Lymph glands become swollen as they react to infection. Those near surface may be very noticeable.
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