What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is an important defense function system in the human body. It spreads throughout the body and consists of lymphatic vessels (divided into capillary lymphatic vessels, lymphatic vessels, lymphatic stems and lymphatic ducts), and lymphatic tissues (divided into diffuse lymphatic tissues and lymph nodes) Lymphatic organs (such as thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, etc.).

The lymphatic system is an important defense function system in the human body. It spreads throughout the body and consists of lymphatic vessels (divided into capillary lymphatic vessels, lymphatic vessels, lymphatic stems and lymphatic ducts), and lymphatic tissues (divided into diffuse lymphatic tissues and lymph nodes) Lymphatic organs (such as thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, etc.).

On the one hand, the lymphatic system drains the lymph fluid and removes foreign bodies and bacteria from the body. On the other hand, the lymphatic system is an outpost of the body's defense. It is scattered across the lymph nodes in various parts of the body like a filtering device, which can effectively prevent microorganisms entering through the lymphatic vessels.

Chinese name

lymphatic system

Features

Important defense system

Construct

Lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, lymph fluid

Research methods

Direct injection

Structure

Capsule, cortex, medulla

Development

Primitive to Higher Animals

Lymphatic system I. Clinical diseases:

Lymphatic system Inflammation and swelling of the lymphatic system:

Lymphatic inflammation is divided into lymphangitis and lymphadenitis. Lymphatic inflammation is divided into reticulitis (erysipelas) and tubular lymphangitis (red lines visible under the epidermis). Lymph node swelling due to local inflammation of the lymph nodes is consistent with the manifestations of "red, swelling, heat, and pain", which can be clarified in combination with auxiliary biochemical examination. For children with nasal and nasopharyngeal inflammation caused by inflammatory lesions in the neck and other areas, it is actually a defense response of the lymphatic system, and its pathological manifestation is reticular hyperplasia.

Superficial lymphadenopathy can also be caused by primary or secondary malignant diseases, such as the supraclavicular and axillary lymphadenopathy, which should be paid attention to, and should be considered from two aspects: The possibility of tuberculosis, The literature reports that the incidence of lymph tuberculosis has been increasing in recent years. Ask for medical history, clinical manifestations of tuberculosis and auxiliary biochemical examinations, and you can make a clear diagnosis, and consider surgical resection if necessary; Whether it is caused by malignant tumors, such as breast cancer can be transferred to the clavicle and axillary lymph nodes, and lung cancer can be transferred to In the supraclavicular, cervical and axillary lymph nodes, gastric cancer can metastasize to the left supraclavicular lymph node, and esophageal cancer can metastasize to the supraclavicular lymph node. Once the nature of such lymphadenopathy is determined, the primary lesion should be actively sought.

Lymphatic system tumors:

Lymphoma is a malignant tumor that originates in lymphoid tissues and nodes. Painless lymphadenopathy, which originates in the neck, armpits, or abdomen. This tumor is different from Hodgkin's disease in terms of pathology, spread and treatment response. It usually spreads widely at diagnosis, so the chance of cure is lower than Hodgkin's disease.

Lymphedema of the lymphatic system :

It is a chronic progressive disease that occurs in the lower limbs and is caused by lymphatic circulation disorders and continuous accumulation of interstitial fluid. It is divided into primary (also divided into congenital, early and late) lymphedema and secondary Lymphedema (secondary to lymphadenectomy, fibrosis after radiotherapy, breast cancer after axillary lymph node removal, etc.). Its main clinical manifestations are chronic progressive painless edema that extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the limb. Skin changes, reddish color, high skin temperature, moss-like or orange peel-like skin changes, and "skin-like legs" in later stages. Secondary infections and ulcers develop, and a few cases can be malignant and become lymphangitic sarcomas. In recent years, localization diagnosis has been performed by lymphangiography. Today, surgical methods include skin grafting after fibrotic subcutaneous tissue removal, lymphatic reconstruction, and pedicled tissue transplantation.