The lymph and the lymphatics – A small excursion into anatomy

The physician B. Aschner (1883-1960) called the lymphatic fluid “the white sister of the blood”.

Whereas the blood transports nutrients and oxygen to the cells, the lymphatic system removes waste products from the cells taking them back into to the blood stream. In fact, the lymph constitutes a derivate of the blood, passing through the entire connective tissue for rejoining the blood stream again. The lymphatics and the blood streams constitute together a circulatory system,

From the blood capillaries the blood plasma (cell-free and protein-free fluid, rich in nutrients) enters  the extracellular matrix in order to supply the cells with nutrients. After having transported the nutritive substances to the cells, the plasma fluid merges into the interstitial fluid (extra cellular matrix, ECM). The interstitial fluid flowing round all cells, contains a rich soup of proteins (cell debris,  bacteria and tissue debris), long chain fatty molecules, cell waste and any molecules which are too big to pass into the venous system.

The lymphatics  are drainage tracts for the excess filtered plasma fluid. They move fluid. They begin as blind-ended lymph capillaries in the periphery of the layers of skin, passing over to slightly larger vessels, then slightly larger vessels again. These lymph vessels progress through the body passing through clearing stations called lymph nodes, which are arranged in clusters or chains. Lymph nodes, among other things, filter the lymph fluid that passes through them re-absorbing some of the components in the blood stream while the rest of it passes along the lymphatic pathways back to the thoracic ducts where the contents re-join the circulatory system, and run through to the kidneys. The kidneys and the liver filter and process the blood and excrete the waste products as urine or gall.

The lymphatic pathways constitute the drainage system within  the connective tissue – comparable to the rubbish collection service. If connective tissue becomes ‘packed full’ of waste products the transit routes between the capillaries and the cells they supply and clear become longer. Surplusacids such as debris, waste products and proteins are build up in the lymphatics and on long term deposited and stored in the connective tissue. The buildup of fluid and the increase of deposition of cell mass leads to an increased propensity to inflammation. The inflammation is the major driving force to damage the lymphatics and to develop a lymphedema. Recently research study of ETH Zurich confirm this theory. For more information please check out: https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2016/10/treating-the-inflammation-in-lymphedema.html

The application of Manual lymphatic drainage  and holistic oedema therapy stimulates lymphatic flow, removes fluid build up  in the lymphatics, harmful substances are eliminated and excreted, oedema are removed and the connective tissue clears. The technique is also effective in the promotion of wound healing and in the restoration of normal skin texture.

Lymphology is the medical science of any disorders of the lymphatic system.