Physiology of the Healthy Lymphatic System
Our blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body. Our cells use oxygen and nutrients the same way we use food and oxygen - to create energy in order to perform our daily functions. And like our own digestive system, each cell produces cellular waste material, 90% of which is removed by the venous system. The remaining 10% of cellular waste materials are removed by the lymphatic system. This 10% contains protein particles that are too large to fit through the capillary walls of the venous system. Every inch of skin contains many lymphatic vessels. hese vessels absorb the proteins and fluids that surround them. Lymphatic vessels drain into larger lymphatic vessels, which drain into even larger lymphatic vessels. The larger lymphatic vessels work by means of a system of one-way valves, similar to to venous system. Eventually, all lymphatic fluid passes through lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are pea-sized chambers lined with white blood cells. These white blood cells clean the lymphatic fluid of invaders like bacteria nad viruses by phagocitizing or "eating" them. This is why, when we have an infection, the lymph nodes that drain the infected area usually feel swollen and sore. They are working overtime! THe lymph nodes also break down proteins for easier elimination by the kidneys. Lymph nodes are gennerally located in joint areas because movement of the joints helps to pump fluid through the lymphatic system. All lymphatic fluid eventually travels to the area at the base of the neck, just above the collar bone. At this point, the fluid enters the venous system, gets carried to the kidneys and washed away with the urine.
Pathophysiology of the Compromised Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system can be compromised by a variety of things, including surgery and trauma and circulatory problems. The removal or radiation of lymph nodes or chemotherapy as a part of treatment for cancer can also damage lymph vessels or nodes. Sometimes people are born with fever or malfunctioning lymph vessels or nodes. The lymphatice system can be compromised by anything that normally causes swelling, such as an injury, surgery, infection or insect bites. When swelling occurs the compromised lymphatic system cannot drain away all the fluid. When fluid stays in the affected limb for an extended length of time the one-way valves in the larger lymphatic vessels can fail or become "incompetent." When these one-way valves fail, gravity tends to pull the fluid down to the lowest part of the linb. An accumulation of fluid in the tissues is called edema. When edema is present for long periods of time, the edematous limb or body part is vulnerable to infection or ulcers. Sometimes lymphatic fluid leaks or weeps from the skin. Pooling of fluid in the tissue for an extended length of time creates hardened areas known as fibrosis, that increase the risk of infection.
