Lymphatic System: Function, Parts, and Main Organs

Your lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in the human body!

Its primary purpose is to protect you from infection, which is a full-time job considering how many pathogens attack you every day.

Without the many working parts that comprise the human lymphatic system, we would be entirely susceptible to attacks from outside bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes.

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into your lymphatic system. We’ll look at the various lymphatic system vessels, tissues, and organs, and how they work together to shield you from pathogens. We’ll also explore lymphatic system function on a cellular level to understand exactly how this complex network works together to keep you safe.

Keep reading to discover the common threats that can impair lymphatic system function and learn practical steps to keep this vital system working at its best.

Introduction to the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system, also called the lymphoid system, is a network of vessels, organs, and tissues. It helps maintain fluid balance, removes waste, and supports immune function by circulating lymph throughout the body.

Lymph is a colorless, watery fluid that plays a crucial role in your immunity to disease. However, it’s also vital for your fluid balance as well as the removal of cellular waste and dead cells. It even plays a role in absorbing micronutrients (like vitamins and minerals) to keep your body healthy.

Primary Functions of the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system plays a rather important role in maintaining overall health. Its main functions include regulating fluid balance, removing waste, and supporting immune defense.

Immune Defense

The primary—and most critical—of the lymphatic system functions is to provide immune support.

The lymphatic system helps protect the body by producing lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells. These cells target and destroy viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other invading pathogens.

A significant amount of your body’s immune activity is carried out by your lymphatic system.

Fluid Balance

The lymphatic system plays an important role in maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. It’s responsible for collecting excess extracellular fluid and circulating that fluid through the various vessels to be returned to your bloodstream.

This helps keep the blood at the right consistency for healthy circulation and prevents fluid buildup in tissues, which can impair their function.

Waste Removal

As the lymphatic system transports fluid from body tissues to the bloodstream, it filters out waste products, dead cells, and abnormal cells for elimination.

This elimination of cellular junk is essential for efficient bodily function and prevents the accumulation of cellular wastes.

Absorption of Fats

Most nutrients enter the body through tiny openings, or pores, in the capillaries. However, some fats and larger molecules are too big to pass through. The lymphatic system absorbs these dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins through specialized lymph vessels called lacteals, located in the small intestine.

These fats are packaged into particles called chylomicrons. The lymphatic system then transports them to the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body.

Main Parts of the Lymphatic System

Which parts of the body belong to the lymphatic system and what are their roles as a part of it? Let’s explore in the paragraphs below.

Lymph

Lymph, also called lymphatic fluid, circulates through the vessels of the lymphatic system. It consists of excess fluid drained from tissues and organs that isn’t reabsorbed into the capillaries.

Lymph contains proteins, fats, minerals, and waste, including damaged cells, pathogens, and cancer cells. It serves as the primary transport fluid for lymphocytes and other immune system cells, allowing them to circulate throughout the body to identify and eliminate antigens.

Lymph Vessels

Lymph vessels, also known as lymphatic vessels, function like a drainage system. They form a network to carry lymph fluid from the tissues back into the bloodstream throughout the body.

Lymph vessels run throughout the entire body. The network of vessels is formed of tiny lymphatic capillaries (the smallest tubes), which connect to larger tubes leading toward the lymphatic ducts in your chest. The lymphatic system vessels have a myriad of one-way valves that ensure lymphatic fluid flows only one way to keep circulating efficiently.

Interestingly enough, unlike the cardiovascular system, there’s no heart muscle pumping to keep everything circulating. Instead, lymph moves through the body with the help of muscle contractions, breathing, and tiny one-way valves that prevent backflow.

The inside of lymphatic vessels is lined with lymphatic endothelial cells. These cells play an important role in immune response and help regulate immune cell activity.

Lymphatic Ducts

The lymphatic ducts are two large vessels in the upper chest.

The thoracic duct, the largest lymphatic vessel, and the right lymphatic duct both drain lymph fluid from the lymphatic vessels into the subclavian veins, where it enters the bloodstream.

Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes filter waste from lymph fluid. These bean-shaped organs cleanse the lymph by trapping cancer cells, damaged cells, pathogens, and foreign particles, which are then neutralized and eliminated.

The lymph nodes act like important check-points for the immune system. They filter lymph fluid, trapping harmful things like bacteria, viruses, and damaged cells. Inside the lymph nodes, immune cells called lymphocytes, detect and fight invaders so dangers can be addressed “on-site” and right away.

With more than 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout your body, your immune system has widespread coverage to defend itself against attacks.

Groups of lymph nodes clustered close together are called lymph node chains. Some are particularly close to the skin—close enough that you can feel them, especially when they are enlarged—such as those in the groin, neck, and armpits.

Primary Organs of the Lymphatic System

The primary lymphatic organs that get involved in lymph function are described in detail below.

Thymus

The thymus, located behind the sternum in front of your heart, is the place where your T cells mature.

T cells are a type of white blood cell that is crucial for your immune response and fighting off invading pathogens.

The thymus is most active during childhood years and shrinks after puberty.

Spleen

Your spleen is one of the secondary lymphoid organs. It’s also the largest lymphatic organ in the body.

Its job is to filter damaged or old or red blood cells, recycle iron, assist the immune system in detecting pathogens in the blood, and eliminate some cells that might not function efficiently. It also stores platelets and red blood cells to replenish your supply as your body demands.

The spleen also produces and stores white blood cells, including lymphocytes. It’s located near your stomach, on the upper left side of your abdomen.

Tonsils and Adenoids

Your tonsils and adenoids are two bodyguards at the entrance of the throat. They trap and eliminate pathogens attempting to enter your body through your mouth or nose. This gives the immune cells, or bouncers, time to fight off infections before they spread.

The tonsils are located at the back of your throat, while your adenoids are located in your upper throat, near your nasal cavity.

A significant percentage of pathogens that enter the body never penetrate deeper than your throat because they get stuck in the adenoids and tonsils, where they are processed and neutralized by immune cells.

Note: Your adenoids are most active during your childhood and shrink in adolescence.

Bone Marrow

Bone marrow—the soft spongy tissue inside your bones—produces platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.

Because it’s such an active hub of lymphocyte production, bone marrow plays a critical role in immune health.

Peyer’s Patches

Peyer’s patches are part of the gut’s immune defense. Located in the immune tissues in the walls of the small intestine, they contain epithelial M cells that monitor for microbes and antigens.

When they detect invaders, they trigger the mucosal immune responses that maintain homeostasis in the digestive system. They help regulate good and bad bacteria in the intestines.

How the Lymphatic System Works

After gaining a good understanding of the primary lymphoid organs and how they work, let’s take a closer look at the lymphatic system working process as a whole.

Lymph Formation and Transport

Lymph forms from excess interstitial fluid, which surrounds tissues and cells. It is transported through lymph vessels to the lymph nodes, where pathogens and cellular waste are filtered out. The filtered lymphatic fluid then continues on throughout the lymphatic vessels toward the lymphatic ducts.

Lymph Filtration

The lymph nodes filter out pathogens, bacteria, and any debris that may be present in the lymphatic fluid.

If pathogens are detected, the lymph nodes activate immune cells to respond to and eliminate the threat before they can reach the bloodstream.

Return to Circulatory System

Lymph flows through two ducts in the upper chest—the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct—and empties into the blood vessels of the circulatory system. There, the fluid adds to the existing fluid in your blood, which helps maintain the ideal fluid balance for healthy circulation and transportation of oxygen and nutrients.

Immune Role of the Lymphatic System

Let’s explore how the primary and secondary lymphoid organs serve the body’s immune protection.

Lymphocytes

There are three types of lymphocytes:

• Natural killer cells, which attack abnormal or infected cells, including cancer cells.
• T cells, developed in the thymus, control your immune response and defend your body against disease and infection.
• B cells, which produce the antibodies necessary to help your body fight infection and neutralize pathogens.

Together, all three of these provide a crucial part of your body’s adaptive and innate immune responses against invaders.

Antigen Presentation

A specific type of immune cell called an antigen-presenting cell (or APCs) captures foreign particles, processes them into peptides, and displays these peptides on their surface. This enables your body’s T cells to recognize the cell as an invader or foreign to your body, which initiates your natural immune response.

Pathogen Detection and Response

Your lymph nodes play a crucial role in detecting and responding to infection. When lymph fluid passes through the nodes, the immune cells in the nodes are able to identify antigens and begin an immune response. This ensures the lymph fluid is free of pathogens before it hits the bloodstream.

The spleen is also vital for identifying and eliminating pathogens. It filters your blood and triggers an immune response to respond to microbes or invaders in your circulatory system.

Common Lymphatic System Disorders

Below are some of the more common lymphatic system diseases you need to know about.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling in tissues that results from a buildup of fluid. Typically, it’s caused by blocked or damaged lymph vessels due to medical conditions, genetic factors, surgery, radiation therapy, or rarely, a spontaneous circumstance.

The symptoms of lymphedema can be minor: discomfort and swelling. However, if it persists and goes untreated, it can cause significant swelling and may lead to painful skin infections and wounds.

Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy refers to swollen lymph nodes. Usually, the swelling is caused by an infection, inflammation, or another underlying cause like cancer or an autoimmune disease.

Lymphadenopathy is often characterized by tenderness and swelling on the side of your neck (under your jaw) or in the armpits, where the lymph nodes are particularly close to the surface of your skin.

The swelling is usually a sign your body is working hard to eradicate some immune threat (virus or bacteria). Sinus infections, upper respiratory tract infections, colds, flus, skin wounds, strep throat, and mononucleosis are all common causes of lymphadenopathy.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in older adults, typically between ages 60 and 80. In contrast, Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often in young adults aged 20 to 39 and in seniors aged 65 and older.

Lymphoma results from mutations in the white blood cells that cause them to become cancerous. The cancerous cells circulate through your lymphatic system and ultimately enter your circulatory system, which is why lymphoma is considered a “blood cancer”.

Factors that can elevate your risk of or contribute to lymphoma include a family history, a weakened immune system, HIV or other viral infections, or the presence of autoimmune disease.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is inflammation in your tonsils, the oval-shaped lymphatic tissue structures at the back of your throat. Typically, it’s the result of some infection, with bacterial infections being less common than viral infections.

Tonsillitis is most common in school-aged children and adolescents. It often causes swollen or red tonsils, a sore throat, a yellow or white patchy coating on the tonsils, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes.

If the infection progresses or becomes more serious, it may be recommended to remove your tonsils entirely (a tonsillectomy).

Splenomegaly

Splenomegaly is enlargement of your spleen. Typically, it’s caused by infection, diseases of your lymphatic system or circulatory system, cancer, or liver disease.

Symptoms of splenomegaly include hiccups, pain in the upper left abdomen, and early satiety (feeling full quickly). It is usually treated at home, but in rare cases, the enlargement can lead to a ruptured spleen, which may require surgery.

Maintaining Lymphatic System Health

To keep your lymphatic system healthy, consider the following advice:

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity encourages circulation of lymph fluid, which can reduce the risk of infection and prevent the buildup of pathogens or cellular waste via fluid stagnation in the lymph nodes.
• Eat right. A diet low in sodium can prevent the buildup of excessive fluid around the cells and tissues, which helps support healthy lymphatic circulation. Foods rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants, and healthy fats (which reduce inflammation) will contribute to a healthier and more efficient lymphatic system.
• Drink more water. Drinking enough water every day (2-3 liters) will help prevent fluid retention for more efficient lymphatic circulation.
• Get a lymphatic massage. Lymphatic massage (also called lymphatic drainage massage) can help stimulate the movement of lymph through and reduce fluid buildup in our tissues.. It’s a gentle but highly effective therapeutic massage that can reduce swelling and ensure more efficient lymph flow.

• Avoid infections. Practice good hygiene to reduce your risk of infections which could overload or over-tax your lymphatic system. Get screened regularly for any diseases or illnesses early and treat the problems before they strain your body’s natural immunity.

The best sign that your lymphatic system is healthy is a good fluid balance and a lack of infections. It means your body’s immune system (of which your lymph system is a critical part) is functioning at optimum capacity and cellular junk is being properly eliminated.

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Conclusion

Your lymphatic system plays many important roles in maintaining overall health. It supports immune function by detecting and eliminating pathogens before they reach the bloodstream. It also helps maintain fluid balance and removes cellular waste and cancer cells.

Adopting the simple habits we shared above will ensure that you can keep this critical—and highly complex—system working smoothly to protect your body from all threats, both internal and external.

FAQs

What is the best drink for lymphatic drainage?

Water is the best thing to drink for healthy lymphatic drainage. Aim for 2 to 3 liters of water per day. If you want to add lemon (warm lemon water) or apple cider vinegar, some believe these could help to reduce swelling and prevent blockages.

Does lymphatic fluid smell?

Lymphatic fluid is colorless but has an unpleasant smell if it leaks from your skin, a problem called lymphorrhea, which is caused by lymphedema (swelling in the lymphatic system).

What is the best position to sleep in for lymphatic drainage?

Some consider sleeping on your left side is considered optimal for lymphatic drainage because most of your lymph flows along your body’s left side. That said, there is not strong evidence to support this. More significant factors to focus on for lymphatic drainage include hydration, moving the body, and a healthy lifestyle.

Resources

Lymphatic System

Anatomy, Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system

lymphatic system

Lymphedema

Lymphoma

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Tonsillitis

Splenomegaly