Membrane mechanism of hormone action on the target cell. reproductive hormones. The structure of female sex hormones

The lymphatic system is part of the vascular system, which successfully supplements the venous system and takes part in metabolism.

An important function of the lymphatic system is the removal of foreign bodies from the circulatory system, as well as the cleansing of tissues and cells. From the tissues of the organs, the fluid first enters the lymphatic system, where it is filtered by the lymph nodes, and then the lymph through the large vessels enters the thoracic lymphatic duct, where it flows from the chest into a large vein.

The lymphatic system consists of:

Capillaries that form networks in all organs and tissues and are designed to remove fluid;
Vessels formed from connections of capillaries. The vessels have valves, due to which the lymph moves in only one direction;
Nodes that interrupt the vessels and divide them into vessels entering the node and leaving it. In the nodes, the lymph leaves all foreign bodies and microbes, and is also enriched with lymphocytes and is sent through other vessels to the thoracic lymphatic current and the right lymphatic current.

Other functions of the lymphatic system include:

Retention of toxins and bacteria;
Return of electrolytes and proteins from tissues to blood;
Withdrawal of foreign bodies and red blood cells;
Production of lymphocytes and antibodies;
Transfer of products absorbed with food;
Excretion of products through urine.

Organs of the lymphatic system:

Bone marrow. All blood cells are created in it. Stem cells created in the myeloid tissue of the bone marrow enter the organs of the immune system.
The spleen, which contains a large collection of lymph nodes. It breaks down dead blood cells. It reacts sharply to foreign bodies and produces antibodies.
Thymus. It takes stem cells, turning them into T-lymphocytes (cells that destroy malignant cells and foreign bodies).

What does enlarged lymph nodes indicate?

Lymphadenopathy, or swollen lymph nodes, is quite common. For a healthy person, the norm is a slight increase in submandibular lymph nodes (no more than 1 cm), as well as an increase in inguinal lymph nodes (no more than 2 cm).

If the increase exceeds the allowable limits, a biopsy and additional research may be required. Enlarged lymph nodes of the lymphatic system may indicate the following diseases:

On the sides of the neck - sarcoidosis, mononucleosis, tuberculosis and vaccination against it, as well as lymphoma and infections of the upper respiratory tract;
In front and behind the auricles - rubella;
Above the collarbone - tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, stomach cancer (above the left collarbone);
Under the lower jaw - gum problems or chronic tonsillitis;
Under the armpits - hand infections, breast cancer, sarcoidosis;
On the bends of the elbows - sarcoidosis;
In the groin - inflammation of the genitourinary system or the presence of a specific infection (herpes, syphilis), infection of the legs.

Enlargement and inflammation of all groups of lymph nodes is an early symptom of HIV infection.

With lymphoma, the nodes become mobile and painless, and with metastases, they become soldered and dense.

Diseases of the lymphatic system

Any disease does not pass without a trace for all body systems. The lymphatic system reacts to the disease primarily by increasing the lymph nodes.

The main diseases of the lymphatic system are:

Adenoids and chronic tonsillitis, when the tonsils cease to perform a protective function, becoming a source of infection. As a rule, with a long infectious process, they are removed.
Acute lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph node caused by bacteria. The disease is accompanied by redness, soreness, and sometimes suppuration. The disease rarely occurs alone, more often it occurs as a result of inflammation of the area through which the lymph flows.
Chronic lymphadenitis. As a rule, this disease is a companion of other infectious diseases (syphilis, tuberculosis).
Tumors of the lymphatic vessels. They can be either malignant (lymphangiosarcoma) or benign (lymphangioma).

Cleansing the lymphatic system

For the full functioning of the lymphatic system, at least a lot of movement is necessary. If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, breathing exercises, exercises and long walks can help well. It is important to know that movement cleanses the body and eliminates lymph stagnation.

Cleansing of the lymphatic system is carried out through saliva, since the salivary glands are part of the general lymphatic system. The salivary glands draw out all dead cells and toxins from the body and bring them out through the gastrointestinal tract.

The easiest way to cleanse the lymphatic system daily is ginger. To do this, after eating, you need to dissolve, chew and swallow a piece of ginger. For the lymphatic system, this method is much more useful than a glass of water. Ginger irritates the mucous membrane and causes increased salivation.

The second way to cleanse the lymphatic system is juice. It is necessary to drink juice for several weeks, consisting of four parts of apple and carrot juice and one part of beetroot. It will be useful to add ginger root or ginger infusion to the juice.

The lymphatic system is a part of the cardiovascular system that complements it. It performs the most important functions in the human body, and its health is extremely important for its normal functioning. Lymph differs from blood in that it does not flow in a closed circle. Its movement is very slow, so it needs to be stimulated.

Interesting fact! In ancient times, the lymphatic system was considered as the main factor that determines human temperament. Temperament, in turn, determined the groups of diseases to which a person is susceptible.

What is the lymphatic system?

According to anatomy permeates the entire body. It consists of:

capillaries;
vessels;
nodes;
lymphatic ducts and trunks;
lymphatic organs.

Liquid connective tissue flows through them - lymph, the main composition of which is water, salts, proteins, fats. Its composition is close to the blood plasma that nourishes the body. Lymph is colorless. In the human body it contains from 1 to 2 liters.

How does lymph formation occur?

Lymph formation occurs in the following way. In the blood capillaries, blood plasma is filtered. The fluid remaining as a result of this filtration is transported into the intercellular space. Thus, tissue fluid is formed, part of which returns to the blood, and the other part passes into the lymphatic capillaries. Its movement largely depends on muscle contraction, the position of the human body and his breathing.

That's how complex it is - human anatomy. The lymphatic system and its structures are thought out by nature to the smallest detail. Consider this component of the human body in more detail.

The structure of the lymphatic system

Lymphatic capillaries are small tubes of different diameters, devoid of a membrane, which begin blindly. They form connections by intertwining with each other, passing into postcapillaries, which are larger formations containing valves. These valves push the lymph in one direction, preventing it from moving back.

Attention! The word "lymph circulation" is incorrect, because lymph is a product of the endothelium and interendothelial layers, each time being updated in the body. Doctors call this process lymph drainage.

According to the section of biology called "human anatomy", the lymphatic system also consists of vessels that form from postcapillaries. The largest of them follow the path of veins and arteries and are called collectors. They collect lymph from the largest sources - upper and lower extremities, organs. They are divided into internal (located near blood vessels) and external (located in the subcutaneous tissue). Also, the vessels are divided into afferent and efferent (depending on the flow of lymph in relation to the lymph nodes).

From the collectors, lymphatic trunks are formed, which are converted into ducts.

The lymph nodes

The human lymphatic system (anatomy has not paid due attention to this component of our body for a long time) also has its own “cleaners”. Lymph nodes are small, round or oval-shaped formations about 2 cm in diameter. They are pinkish-gray in color. They are located along the lymphatic vessels. In young people, oval-shaped lymph nodes predominate, while in older people they are elongated. Their main function is to cleanse the lymph from toxic substances that enter there. Lymph nodes play the role of a kind of filter that captures toxins and “releases” already cleansed lymph.

The lymphatic organs are the spleen, tonsils, and thymus (which develops before adolescence). Their main functions are to prevent the entry and development of infection in the body.

What are the functions of the lymphatic system in the body?

One of the most complex and confusing sciences is human anatomy. The lymphatic system, whose functions are very important for the body, does a great job.

First of all, it is responsible for the immune response of the body, protecting it from bacteria and viruses. That is why, in response to the penetration of the pathogen into the body (infection, virus), the lymph nodes increase. It is their increase in children that indicates the presence of, say, tuberculosis, although, in addition to this, lymph nodes increase in many other diseases. The protective function consists of two stages:

destruction of bacteria by macrophages;
production of lymphocytes.

Blood filtration. The spleen destroys red blood cells and kills all bacteria and viruses it finds in the blood. Young red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow.

Lymph filtration. If there are pathogenic microorganisms in the blood, then the lymph nodes filter them out. It is for this reason that when oncology is suspected, doctors first of all check the lymph nodes for the presence of metastases. The human lymphatic system (anatomy is briefly discussed) in this case indicates how much the disease has spread throughout the body.

The outflow of fluid from the tissue into the blood. Plasma, which is part of the blood, seeps through the walls of blood vessels into other tissues. It passes through to be cleansed and returned to the blood again. This circulation is continuous.

Diseases of the lymphatic system

According to human anatomy, the lymphatic system is extremely important for the health of the body, and violations of its work can cause serious complications.

Among the groups of diseases of the lymphatic system are:

malformations;
trauma;
inflammation;
tumors.

One of the first symptoms of these diseases is an increase in lymph nodes and a noticeable decrease in immunity. Sweating and fatigue increase, patients are disturbed by a headache, the temperature can rise. Lymph diseases are especially dangerous because toxins begin to accumulate in the body. That is, a violation of its activity affects all organs and systems of the body.

Methods of treatment of pathologies of the lymphatic system directly depend on the type of disease. Treatment can be different - from conservative to radiation or surgical methods.

We hope that people who are interested in human anatomy, the lymphatic system (photos showing how complex this component of our body is presented in the article) and its functions have learned a lot of new and interesting things about this environment of the body. How to keep her healthy?

Lymphatic health

First of all, doctors recommend that you monitor your health and prevent disturbances in the digestive tract, as this entails pollution of the entire body and interferes with the functioning of the lymphatic system. She can no longer cope with the flow of toxins. Watch your diet.

Massage twice a year. Such a procedure effectively accelerates the lymph, but it is especially effective which acts directly on the lymph. If it is not possible to visit a massage therapist, in the shower, rub the body with a washcloth over the lymph flow.

Control your weight. Lymph is very sensitive to extra pounds. Lead an active lifestyle and be healthy!

The lymphatic system is a part of the vascular system that participates together with the venous bed in the outflow of fluids from tissues (Fig. 1). The roots of the lymphatic system are the lymphatic capillaries, which receive metabolic products from the tissues, and in pathological conditions, foreign particles and microorganisms. Cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic capillaries are thin-walled endothelial tubes connected in a network; they are found everywhere except for the head and, cartilage, sclera and lens of the eye,. The diameter of the lymphatic capillaries is several times greater than the diameter of the blood capillaries. When the lymphatic capillaries merge, lymphatic vessels are formed, which are characterized by the presence of valves that ensure the flow of lymph in one direction. At the locations of the valves, constrictions are formed, and therefore the vessels have a clear shape. Lymphatic vessels form wide-loop plexuses in the walls of organs. From an organ or part of the body, several groups of efferent lymphatic vessels exit, heading to nearby regional lymph nodes. Flowing through the lymph node, the lymph is enriched with lymphocytes.

Lymph nodes are involved in the processes and protective reactions of the body. They are active biological filters, produce antibodies and regulate lymph flow. In the lymph nodes, the lymph currents from the individual organs of this area merge. Lymphatic vessels leaving the lymph nodes form larger vessels - lymphatic trunks (lumbar, intestinal, subclavian, jugular and broncho-mediastinal). The trunks merge into two lymphatic ducts: the thoracic duct, which collects lymph from the tissues of 3/4 of the body, and the right lymphatic duct, which collects lymph from the right half of the head and neck, the right half of the chest cavity and the right arm. The thoracic duct (30 to 41 cm long) begins in the abdominal cavity, passes through the diaphragm to the posterior and continues on the neck, flowing into the left subclavian vein. The right lymphatic duct (1-1.5 cm long) is located on the border of the neck and chest on the right and flows into the right subclavian vein. The lymphatic system also includes the lymphoid follicles of the mucous membranes and tonsils.

Rice. one. human lymphatic system(front view): 1 - lymphatic vessels of the face; 2 - submandibular lymph nodes; 3 - submental lymph nodes; 4 - the mouth of the thoracic duct; 5 - anterior mediastinal lymph nodes; 6 - axillary lymph nodes; 7 - superficial lymphatic vessels of the hand, following the course of the head vein; 8 - medial group of superficial lymphatic vessels of the hand; 9 - lumbar lymph nodes; 10 - upper iliac lymph nodes; 11 - internal iliac lymph nodes; 12 - superficial inguinal lymph nodes; 13 - medial group of superficial lymphatic vessels of the leg; 14 - lateral group of superficial lymphatic vessels of the leg; 15 - superficial lymphatic vessels of the foot; 16 - deep lymphatic vessels of the foot; 17 - deep lymphatic vessels of the lower leg; 18 - deep lymphatic vessels of the thigh; 19 - deep lymphatic vessels of the palm; 20 - deep inguinal lymph nodes; 21 - lower iliac lymph nodes; 22 - deep lymphatic vessels; 23 - thoracic duct; 24 - intercostal lymph nodes; 25 - superficial ulnar lymph nodes; 26 - shoulder lymph nodes; 27 - subclavian trunk; 28 - jugular trunk; 29 - deep cervical lymph nodes; 30 - jugular-bigastric lymph node; 31 - posterior lymph node; 32 - parotid lymph nodes.

If we talk about the work of the body and in particular about the fluids that flow in the body, then not many people immediately call lymph.

However, lymph has great importance for the body and has very significant functions that allow the body to function normally.

What is the lymphatic system?

Many people know about the body's need for blood circulation and the work of other systems, but not many people know about the high importance of the lymphatic system. If the lymph does not circulate through the body for only a couple of hours, then such an organism can no longer function.

Thus, every human body experiences continuous need in the functioning of the lymphatic system.

It is easiest to compare the lymphatic system with the circulatory system and isolate the following differences:

openness, unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system is open, that is, there is no circulation as such.
Unidirectional If the circulatory system provides movement in two directions, then the lymph moves in the direction only from the peripheral to the central parts of the system, that is, the fluid first collects in the smallest capillaries and then moves into larger vessels, and the movement goes only in this direction.
There is no central pump. In order to ensure the movement of fluid in the right direction, only a system of valves is used.
More slow motion fluid compared to the circulatory system.
The presence of special anatomical elements- lymph nodes that perform a significant function and are a kind of warehouse for lymphocytes.

The lymphatic system is of the greatest importance for metabolism and for provide immunity. It is in the lymph nodes that the bulk of the foreign elements that enter the body are processed.

If any virus appears in the body, then it is in the lymph nodes that work begins to study and expel this virus from the body.

You yourself can notice this activity when you have, which indicate the body's fight against the virus. In addition, lymph regularly cleanses the body and removes unnecessary elements from the body.

Learn more about the lymphatic system from the video:

Functions

If we talk in more detail about the functions, then it should be noted the connection of the lymphatic system with the cardiovascular system. It is thanks to the lymph that delivery of various items, which cannot be immediately in the cardiovascular system:

proteins;
fluid from the tissue and interstitial space;
fats, which come primarily from the small intestine.

These elements are transported to the venous bed and thus end up in the circulatory system. Further, these components can be removed from the body.

At the same time, many inclusions that are unnecessary for the body are processed at the stage of lymph, in particular, we are talking about viruses and infections that neutralized by lymphocytes and destroyed in the lymph nodes.

It should be noted the special function of the lymphatic capillaries, which are larger in comparison with the capillaries of the circulatory system and have thinner walls. Due to this, from the interstitial space to the lymph proteins and other components can be supplied.

Additionally, the lymphatic system can be used to cleanse the body, since the intensity of the flow of lymph largely depends on the compression of blood vessels and muscle tension.

Thus, massage and physical activity can make the movement of lymph more efficient. Thanks to this, additional cleansing and healing of the body becomes possible.

Peculiarities

Actually the word "lymph" comes from the Latin "lympha", which translates as moisture or clean water. Only from this name it is possible to understand a lot about the structure of the lymph, which washes and cleanses the entire body.

Many could observe lymph, since this liquid exudes on the surface of wounds on the skin. Unlike blood, the liquid is almost completely transparent.

According to the anatomical structure, lymph belongs to connective tissue and contains a large number of lymphocytes in the complete absence of erythrocytes and platelets.

In addition, lymph, as a rule, contains various waste products of the body. In particular, the previously noted large protein molecules that cannot be absorbed into the venous vessels.

Such molecules are often may be viruses therefore, the lymphatic system is used to absorb such proteins.

The lymph may contain various hormones that are produced by the endocrine glands. From the intestines, fats and some other nutrients come here, from the liver - protein.

Direction of lymph flow

The figure below shows a diagram of the movement of lymph in the human lymphatic system. It does not display every lymph vessel and all of the lymph nodes that about five hundred in the human body.

Pay attention to the direction of travel. Lymph moves from the periphery to the center and from the bottom up. Fluid flows from small capillaries, which then join into larger vessels.

The movement goes through the lymph nodes, which contain a huge number of lymphocytes and purify the lymph.

Usually to the lymph nodes more vessels come in than leave, that is, lymph enters through many channels, and leaves one or two. Thus, the movement continues to the so-called lymphatic trunks, which are the largest lymphatic vessels.

The largest is the thoracic duct., which is located near the aorta and passes lymph through itself from:

all organs that are located below the ribs;
left side of chest and left side of head;
left hand.

This duct connects with left subclavian vein, which you can see marked in blue in the picture on the left side. This is where the lymph from the thoracic duct enters.

It should also be noted right duct, which collects fluid from the right upper side of the body, in particular from the chest and head, arms.

From here, lymph enters right subclavian vein, which is located in the figure symmetrically to the left. Additionally, it should be noted such large vessels that belong to the lymphatic system as:

right and left jugular trunks;
left and right subclavian trunks.

It should be said about the frequent location of the lymphatic vessels along the blood, in particular venous vessels. If you look at the picture, you will see some the similarity of the arrangement of the vessels of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

The lymphatic system has great importance for the human body.

Many doctors consider lymph analysis to be no less relevant than a blood test, since it is lymph that can indicate some factors that are not found in other tests.

In general, lymph, in combination with blood and intercellular fluid, constitutes the internal liquid medium in the human body.

In the human body, along with the cardiovascular system, there is also a complementary lymphatic system. This structure permeates all tissues and organs with capillaries, ensuring the movement of the biological fluid - lymph and helping to strengthen the body's immune defenses.

The lymphatic system helps the body cleanse itself of toxins, toxins, microbes and infections, and also removes excess fluid from the intercellular space, pumping it into the vascular bed.

Lymphatic fluid is considered one of the types of connective tissue and includes lymphocytes - cells of the immune system. They perform vital functions, as they are able to distinguish “their” components from “foreign” components inside the body - red blood cells and white blood cells from infections and microbes, and then break down harmful particles with the help of T-lymphocytes.

Lymph also contains:

water;
salt;
minerals;
colloidal solutions of proteins;
fats.

This viscous liquid resembles blood plasma in its properties. In the body of an adult, it contains about one and a half to two liters. Circulation is provided by contractions of muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels, as well as the movement of other muscles, the general position of the body and the phases of respiration.

Functions of lymph in the body

Lymph circulation performs several functions at once:

Structure diagram

The anatomical structure of the lymphatic system can be depicted schematically:

The main components of its structure:

capillaries and vessels;
nodes;
ducts;
organs.

Lymphatic capillaries and vessels permeate almost all organs and tissues of the body. They are absent only in the spinal cord and brain, the internal tissue of the spleen, the lens of the eye, the middle ear and the placenta. The capillaries of the lymphatic system are thicker than those of the circulatory system and have permeable walls that are physiologically more adapted to the absorption of substances. They merge into large ducts - vessels that also have thin walls, but are equipped with valves that prevent reverse or retrograde lymph flow.

Vessels slowly deliver fluid to groups of lymph nodes, consisting of lymphoid tissue, which contains:

lymphocytes;
plasma cells;
reticulocytes are young red blood cells.

In the nodes of the lymphatic system, immune cells “ripen”:

B-lymphocytes - produce antibodies and mobilize the immune system in case of a threat;
T-lymphocytes - contribute to the breakdown of cells damaged by viruses.

The fluid released from the lymph nodes through large ducts enters the circulatory system. As can be seen in the diagram, there are only two lymphatic ducts in the body - the right and left, which flow into the corresponding subclavian veins.

The organs of the lymphatic system are:

spleen;
thymus or thymus;
tonsils.

The movement of lymph occurs from the bottom up due to the fact that the valves of this system allow fluid to pass in only one direction. Therefore, it is important to massage in the direction of its circulation: from the fingers to the thoracic lymphatic duct, from the toes to the inguinal lymph nodes.

Causes of enlarged lymph nodes

Since the lymphatic system is aimed at cleansing the body and getting rid of harmful trace elements, an increase in lymph nodes always indicates the presence of pathology.

The following photo is an example of what an inflamed lymph node looks like. In this case, the neck is affected.

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection. They can be both local and generalized, when the inflammatory process first occurs in one lymph node, and then spreads to others.

Autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation in the nodes are arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Oncological diseases of the lymphatic system: Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Inflammation can also be caused by other types of cancer, the metastases of which spread to the lymph nodes.

Cleansing the lymphatic system

Since the lymphatic system performs a number of vital functions, removing bacteria that pollute it, infections and cell decay products from the body, it also needs to be cleansed.

A sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, technogenic influence - all this disrupts its work and leads to stagnation of lymph in the body. As a result, disease-causing substances are not removed from the body, but remain in it, which reduces the overall level of immunity and increases the risk of autoimmune diseases.

A healthy diet and a special massage will help cleanse the lymphatic system.

The diet should include the following products:

fresh greens;
seaweed;
linseed oil;
herbal teas.

To improve the outflow of fluid, you need to drink at least 7-8 glasses of clean water daily.

It will help to "revive" the processes of outflow and lymphatic drainage. However, only a massage therapist trained in a special technique should do it: the lymphatic system is very fragile, incorrect actions can damage the valves and cause fluid to flow back. All movements should be made in the direction of the lymph - from the bottom up.

Lymphatic drainage:

promotes the penetration of fluid from the tissues into the capillaries and vessels of the system;
accelerates lymph circulation;
activates the process of cleansing blood vessels from the products of cell decay.

A session of lymphatic drainage lasts at least an hour. It begins with warming up techniques - intense stroking and rubbing. The masseur then applies deeper techniques that promote the movement of the lymph and are performed along the lymph vessels. At this stage, it is important to consistently work out all parts of the body: from the toes to the pelvic area, from the fingers to the chest. The session ends with relaxing techniques - light strokes.

You can learn more about the techniques and features of lymphatic drainage massage from the article.

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