The lymphatic system is a large-scale drainage network that helps keep fluid fluid levels in balance and protects the body against inflammation. The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymphatic vessels. These vessels transport the lymphatic fluid – a pure watery liquid containing molecules of protein, salts, glucose, urea, and other substances – all over the body.
The spleen is located in the upper left of the abdomen under the rib cage. It acts as part of the lymphatic system and protects the body, purging worn red blood cells and other alien objects from the bloodstream to help fight infection.
The importance of the lymphatic system :
One of the main functions of the lymphatic system is to collect additional lymphatic fluid from the body tissue and return it to the blood. This process is very important because water, proteins and other substances that continuously leak from the small capillaries to the surrounding body tissues accumulate in the tissues of the body and cause swelling. Therefore, the lymphatic system drains excess fluid from tissues and leaks from the capillaries is a must.
The lymphatic system also helps to defend the body against germs such as viruses, bacteria and fungus that can cause diseases. These bacteria are filtered into the lymph nodes – which are small lumps of tissue that lie along the network of lymphocytes. Some lymphocytes also manufacture antibodies and special proteins that fight bacteria and stop infection from spreading by blocking and destroying pathogenic bacteria.
The spleen also helps the body to resist infection. The spleen contains lymphocytes and another type of white blood cell called the placenta, which swallows and destroys bacteria, dead tissue, and foreign matter and removes it from blood passing through the spleen.
Basic Anatomy of the Lymphatic System:
The lymphatic system is a very small tube network (vessel) that drains lymph fluid from all over the body. Large parts of the lymphatic tissue are located in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and tonsils. The heart, lungs, intestines, liver and skin also contain lymphatic tissue.
One of the main lymphatic vessels is the thoracic canal, which begins near the lower part of the spine and collects lymphatic fluid from the pelvis, abdomen and bottom of the chest. The chest canal extends through the chest and flows into the blood through a large vein near the left side of the neck. The right lymphatic canal is another of the main lymphatic vessels. Which collects lymph fluid from the right side of the neck, chest, and arm, and pours into a large vein near the right side of the neck.