St. Lukes Elks Rehab Blog

Many have never heard of the Lymphatic System, let alone Lymphedema.  So before talking of Lymphedema we need to take a look at what the Lymph System is and how it works.

When we take a look at the body from the outside in, we have our skin, just below that is our layer of fat, and then under that is our Lymph System (comprised of lymph collectors/capillaries, vessels that lead to the deeper lymphatic vessels along which pathway are the lymph nodes), and this over lays our muscles.  The blood capillary system comes into the area between the fat layer and the lymph capillaries and releases the nutrients to the skin and surface tissues of the body.  It is a clear fluid including a lot of proteins. As the blood leaves, it takes back 90% of what it dropped off- most of the clear fluid and the smallest particles.  The other 10% of clear fluid (with the larger particles of proteins/cell debris/medications we’ve taken/etc.) makes up the lymph fluid.  The human body produces approximately 2 liters of lymph fluid every day.

The Lymph Nodes are the “garbage disposals” of the system that filter and breaks down all those particles, balancing the solid to liquid consistency.  Also, they manufacture white blood cells for our immune system.  The last tube of the lymph system goes up through the chest and dumps the lymph fluid into the blood system just above the heart.  There the lymph fluid joins the blood, being further filtered through the liver and kidneys, and then passing out of the body through urine.

In brief, the Lymphatic System is a network of vessels, tissues, and organs in vertebrate animals that helps the body regulate fluid balance and fight infection.

Filed under: Lymphedema