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The Lymphatic System in Detail

© Linda Bily

The lymphatic system carries lymph throughout the body via the lymphatic vessels. Lymph is a fluid, consisting of protein, water, some nutrients and fat. It also has white blood cells, which fight infection. It is also called interstitial fluid or tissue fluid. It collects in the spaces between our cells. Some of the fluid goes back into the body through the capillary membrane, while most of it goes into the lymphatic membranes and becomes lymph fluid. Lymph also picks up cell debris, fat, protein. It then moves through the lymph nodes. Lymph has no pump. It is a secondary system of transport of bodily fluids. It depends on pressure from the blood system and the effect of muscles for its transportation.

The most commonly known lymph nodes are the Axillary Lymph Nodes These lymph nodes are located in the armpit, or axilla. There are 2 layers of these nodes. Superficial, or surface, and deeper lymph nodes. These lymph nodes are related to the flow from the arm, upper chest area and mammary glands. There is no definitive number of lymph nodes in the armpit. When people have axillary dissection, or removal of the armpit lymph nodes, they often ask "How many nodes did you take?" The answer can range from 2 to 40, based on your physical makeup and the surgeon's technique. Lymph travels in several directions, but most of the lymph nodes in the breast empty into the armpit first.

The next group of lymph nodes are located in the neck and are known as the Cervical Lymph Nodes. Again, there are superficial, or surface nodes, and nodes deeper in the neck. These nodes are further categorized by location: submaxillary near the jaw, suprahyoid near the throat, and cervical on the external jugular vein.

The Inguinal Lymph Nodes are located deep in the groin area. The superficial nodes are along the saphenous vein. They receive lymph from the external genitalia and the superficial parts of the lower limbs. The deeper nodes receive their lymph flow from the lower limbs, external genitalia and lower anterior abdominal wall.

The Lymphatic ductthoracic duct these two ducts dump between 5-10 milliliters of lymph into the blood every minute.

Lymph nodes are small and are usually found in clusters near veins near the lymph vessels at the knee, elbow, armpit, groin, neck, abdomen and chest. The lymph nodes act as a cleaning spot for the blood and germ-fighting white cells gather when you are ill. The lymph system filters your blood. The lymphocytes, or white blood cells, are stored in the lymph system. When you have an infection, the lymph nodes enlarge due to the multiplication of lymphocytes in the nodes, trying to fight the infection.