The Lymphatic System

 Chapter 6

 The Lymphatic System

Introduction

• The good health and survival of an individual depends upon the prevention of attacks by disease producing micro-organisms, known as pathogens. It is also essential to neutralize the toxic products produced by pathogens or to guard the body from other harmful things such as ultraviolet rays or to cure the body from wounds, cuts, burns etc.

• The lymphatic system is responsible for certain defense mechanisms. To protect the body, body resistance is essential. Lack of resistance is called susceptibility. Immunity takes part in the activation of specific lymphocytes which destroy the foreign particles or pathogens.

• Lymphatic system contains the fluid known as lymph, which flows through several organs and lymphatic vessels. The lymph is the diffusible part of the blood and waste products from the cells. The composition of plasma and lymph is nearly same, but some additional components are also present in the lymph.

Lymph Nodes

• These nodes are present at strategic positions throughout the body. The small lymph vessels carry lymph towards these nodes. From here, the lymph passes in to the blood. Structure of Lymph Nodes.

• These are oval or bean shaped organs present along the length of the lymphatic vessels. The size of lymphatic gland is variable and ranges from 01-25 mm in length. These glands are found in maximum numbers in the axillae, groins and mammary glands.

• The node has a coating of dense connective tissue, and these tissues extend into the node. These extensions are known as trabeculae. The trabeculae help to divide the nodes into different compartments, provide a passageway to blood vessels and give support. The capsule, trabeculae, reticular fibres, and fibroblasts, form the framework of the lymph node.