Lymphatic Drainage System

1. Lymphatic Capillaries

1.1. Admit large amounts of tissue fluid

1.2. contains debris too large to enter the blood capillaries which could cause a problem if it got into the blood

1.2.1. Protein

1.2.2. Pus

1.2.3. Damaged or dead cells

1.2.4. Bacteria/pathogens

1.2.5. Cancerous cells

2. Fat digestion

2.1. LS important role in FD

2.2. Nutrients absorbed by small intestine enter the bloodstream

2.3. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K is taken into the lymph first

3. Edema

3.1. Zero healthy lymph vessels cause fluid to build up in the tissue causing water retention

3.2. Body can regrow lymph capillaries

4. Function

4.1. Cleans the body by draining excess fluids and debris from the tissues

4.2. Cleans up internal and external threats to health from the immune system

4.3. Two distinctive systems

4.3.1. drainage aspect of the LS is a priority, but the immune function is a complex process involving many body systems.

4.4. Makes sure harmful stuff is filtered before returning fluid to the blood, through the veins that lie below the colarbones

4.5. Does not have its own pump

4.6. 3000 ml of lymph enter the bloodstream : same fluid that left the arterial capillaries and didn't return to venous capillaries

5. Drainage

5.1. Series of one-way tubes starting in the tissues as tiny, permeable capillaries and joining up to form bigger vessels

5.2. Pass through lymph nodes

6. Lymph nodes

6.1. Strain and filter the lymph fluid

6.2. Found in clusters in the neck, armpit, behind the knees, abdomen and groin

6.3. Swollen: due to increased activity (fighting off disease)

6.4. made of many connective tissue capsules that contain WBC

6.5. Fluid with debris enters the node: the cells engulf unwanted stuff and clean them away