An Overview of the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system refers to a type of network in the body that consists of the lymphoid organs, lymphatic tissues, lymph ducts, lymph nodes, lymph vessels and lymph capillaries. These components of the lymphatic system all work together to effect the production and transportation of lymph fluid that comes from tissues and is brought to the circulatory system. The lymphatic system as a whole is an integral component of the human body’s immune system.
Three Main Functions
There are three main functions that the lymphatic system does. These three functions are interrelated to each other. The lymphatic system aids the production of immune cells. Examples of immune cells that are produced are antibodies, monocytes and lymphocytes. Another main function of the lymphatic system is that is responsible for the fatty acid’s absorption and in turn, the transportation of fat to the body’s circulatory system. The last main function of the lymphatic system is that it has the ability to remove excess tissues that are found in the tissues of the body.
In Action
All these functions go to show that the presence of lymphatic system in the body is indeed important. The lymphatic system makes lymphatic circulation possible. The lymphatic system is different from other systems in the body, like the blood system for example. The blood system has a central pump, while the lymphatic system has none. Peristalsis is the one that causes lymph movement in the lymphatic system. Also, movement is possible even without a central pump because of the skeletal muscle’s milking actions and the valves. That is how the lymphatic circulation starts.
The lymphatic system is also the one that makes fatty acid transport system possible. In the linings of the body’s gastrointestinal tract, there are lacteals present. Lacteals are lymph vessels that are found in the said linings. The nutrients coming into the body from the food that humans eat are absorbed by the small intestine, in which it undergoes several other processes. The only nutrient that is not directly absorbed by the small intestine is fat. With this, the lymphatic system is the one that aids in the transportation of fat into different venues in the human body so that it can already be processed by the liver.
These are just among the many ways in which the lymphatic system takes action in a lot of the human body’s processes.