The Normal Lymphatic System

To understand the condition called lymphedema, we first must understand the normal Iymphatic system.

Consisting of Iymph vessels, nodes and tissues the Iymphatic system is part of the circulatory system of veins and arteries. The important role of the Iymphatic system is to remove impurities from the circulatory system and to produce cells of the immune system (Iymphocytes) that are vital in fighting bacteria and viruses. These important Iymphocytes produced in the Iymphatic system, mostly in the spleen, are a crucial part of the immune system.

Lymph vessels are channels that contain colorless fluid called Iymph. The Iymph comprises white blood cells and waste products from Iymph tissue. Lymph fluid passes through nodes or valves located in the Iymph channels at 1cm to 2cm intervals. As the fluid passes through the nodes, it is purified of harmful bacteria and viruses. Networks of the Iymphatic system are situated in several areas of the body:

• the neck (supraclavicular)
• near the intestine(abdominal)
• the armpits (axilla)
• behind the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneal)
• along the windpipe (trachea)
• the pelvic area
• adjacent to the lung (thoracic)
• the groin (inguinal)

Lymph tissue is found in other areas of the body as well, including the tonsils, spleen, intestinal wall and bone marrow.