Lymph – fluid formation, chemical composition, functions

Lymph is a natural tissue fluid also called lymph. This body fluid is part of the blood plasma that becomes filtered into peripheral tissues. Lymph plays important functions in the human body, but its abnormal circulation is also the basis of many problems, ranging from the typically aesthetic ones, which are the so-called bags under the eyes, and ending with problems affecting human health. Check what is worth knowing about it.

Lymph it constantly circulates in the human lymphatic system, which consists of vessels and lymph nodes, and organs made of lymphatic tissue. The function of the lymph is to transport proteins and lymphocytes back into the circulatory system.

Lymph – fluid formation and circulation

It all starts when the blood plasma is filtered through the walls of the capillaries into the organs and the so-called peripheral tissues. That’s where it comes into being lymphwhich is essentially the only pathway for plasma proteins to flow back from the interstitial fluid back into the circulatory system. It is first transported through small, initial lymph vessels, which then turn into so-called collecting lymph vessels, characterized by the so-called valves that prevent backflow. lymph. This means that the vessels allow flow lymph in only one and the right direction. The valves are supported by smooth muscles located in the vascular walls, because these, by spontaneous contraction, also allow the flow of lymph just in the right direction.

At the very end of the road he has to overcome lymphto reach the venous system there is the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct. The first of these tubes returns to the circulatory system most of the time lymphwhich occurs in all extremities, the abdomen and digestive tract, and the left side of the head, neck, and chest. In turn, through the right lymphatic duct it goes to the venous system lymph on the right side of the head, neck and chest. This is how the plasma proteins first filtered together with lymphocytes and other elements contained in limfie they go back into the bloodstream.

It is also interesting that lymph it is able to move around in the lymph vessels thanks to the regular contractions of the larger lymph vessels and the contractions of the skeletal muscles and the negative pressure in the chest. In turn, the emergence lymph is influenced by many factors. The nervous and hormonal aspects play a huge role here. Hypoxia of tissues, external temperature and many physical factors are of great importance.

Lymph – chemical composition

In fact, it is difficult to talk about a uniform chemical composition lymph. It is similar to plasma, but contains much less proteins. In composition lymph in addition to proteins, there are also fats, lymphocytes – i.e. cells of the immune system, as well as immunoglobulins and components responsible for clotting. However, you need to know that lymph may have a different composition depending on the degree of permeability of the capillary walls and the condition of the whole organism. The composition may also vary depending on the authority from which lymph comes. Based on detailed research, it was found that it contains the most proteins lymphwhich arises and drains from the liver, digestive tract, heart and lungs.

The entire lymphatic system along with itself lymph is of great importance in the lipid absorption process in the gastrointestinal tract. In this way, fats as chylomicrons pass from the intestines into the bloodstream, bypassing the liver altogether. By lymph long-chain fatty acids and cholesterol are transported from the intestines, and after a fatty meal itself lymph takes on a creamy color due to a large amount of lipids appearing in its composition.

Human physiology makes his body produce two to four liters lymph in twenty-four hours. However, in people who lead a very active lifestyle, the amount is produced lymph it may be several times greater.

Lymph – functions and structure of the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system includes lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic organs. All components of the system are responsible for the transport of tissue fluid into the circulatory system and although each element is necessary, special attention should be paid to lymph nodes.

Most lymph nodes is located in the groin, armpits and neck area and they are a very important element of the human immune system. Lymph nodes they produce and release the so-called T lymphocytes into the lymph. These are the key cells whose main role is to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells containing, for example, viruses and bacteria. Here is the answer why lymph nodes sometimes they become enlarged. When this happens, it means that your body is fighting an infection or inflammatory process. Unfortunately lymph nodes they mediate in paving the way for neoplastic metastases, hence the condition lymph nodes during neoplastic diseases, it is the basis for the implementation of an appropriate method of treatment.