The lymphatic system is one of the most important and complex systems of the human body, and yet the “everyday person” doesn’t even realise just how special it is. We hope this next series of articles will help to educate you on just what the lymphatic system is, and how we can look after it!
What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, tissues and organs, which serves as a…
- source of cells that provide immunity
- filtering complex
- carrier of fats and other substances
- drainage system that contributes to the return of excess tissue fluid into the blood
The clear, colourless liquid that fills and flows through the lymphatic system is called lymph.
Fun fact: The lymph draining from the intestines contains droplets of fat that give it a milky white colour.
The smallest vessels of the lymphatic system – lymphatic capillaries – are located in almost all organs of the body. The capillaries unite into lymphatic vessels, which usually follow the course of the veins, heading for the heart. The lymphatic vessels drain into the two main lymphatic trunks located in the chest area – the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct. The latter flow into the veins near the collarbone, thus uniting the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
The human body contains about 1-2 L of lymph. This liquid is filled with toxins, wastes, bacteria and all the parasites that enter into our body throughout the day with the things we intake such as bad food and polluted air, etc. Through the lymphatic vessels, the lymph, along with all this “garbage”, enters the lymph nodes, which filter and retain microbes and cleanse the lymph from bacteria and viruses. The reconstituted lymph returns to the circulatory system, and bacteria and toxins are eliminated in several ways, the main ones are urine and sweat glands.
Already we can see how important the lymphatic system is! It’s our body’s own garbage removal system. Imagine if your city council decided to stop running the garbage trucks, and how bad your city would be even just after one week of no garbage removal?
Just as it is vital for the garbage trucks to operate in your city, so it is for the lymphatic system to be healthy in your own body!
Stay tuned for next week’s article: Parts of the Lymphatic System
All our love
The Ponsonby Health and Temperance Team
Living Wise 
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