What are composition of lymphatic system – imaluop

Composition of lymphatic system: Lymphatic system our first line of defence contains fluid called lymph. The Lymphatic system works in the whole body through a network of lymph capillaries. Lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, lymph corpuscles, lymph plasma collectively form lymphatic systems. 

Lymphatic vessels: 

Lymphatic vessels make networks in tissues. In interstitial space fine tubes like lymph capillaries present. Lymph capillaries are closed end tube like structures. Wall of lymph capillaries made of endothelial cells. These tiles like endothelial cells overlap one another at the end margin and make a valve line functionality. Due this valve-like structure lymph can go from interstitial space to lymph capillaries. But this valve does not allow to leak lymph fluid from lymph capillaries.

Lymphatic capillaries present in almost all tissues of the body. But in CNS, epithelial tissues, bone marrow lack lymph capillaries. Lymph capillaries are microscope. They are not visible in naked eyes. Many lymph capillaries join to form small lymph vessels. Many small lymph vessels again join to form larger lymph vessels. Larger lymphatic vessels are known as lymphatic trunk. All lymphatic trunks join to lymphatic ducts.

Two lymphatic ducts, right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct drain lymph from the whole body. Right Lymphatic duct drains lymph from the upper right part of the body. Thoracic lymphatic duct drains lymph from all other parts of the body. In the blood circulation system blood circulation occurs in the presence of a pressure gradient created by the heart. But there is no heart to pump all the lymph through the lymph vessels.

What are composition of lymphatic system
What are composition of lymphatic system

In the wall of lymphatic vessels the valve is present to create pressure gradient along the lymph vessels. These valves present at the wall of lymphatic vessels act as numerous hearts in the lymphatic system. This pressure gradient moves the lymph fluid in one direction. Contraction of muscle present in the wall of lymphatic vessels creates a one way pumping activity. This pressure gradient does not allow the lymph to flow in a backward direction in the lymph vessels. 

Lymph Plasma:

There are many similarities between blood plasma and lymph plasma. But lymph plasma has a lesser amount of calcium than blood plasma calcium levels. Macromolecules like protein are less in lymph plasma than blood plasma. Lymph plasma has less amount of phosphorus as compared to blood plasma. But lymph have a high amount of glucose as compared to blood plasma. Most of the globulin proteins present in lymph plasma are antibodies which have great contribution to immunity. Water and other inorganic composition are almost equal to that of blood plasma. Other organic components are also present in the same level as blood plasma. 

What are composition of lymphatic system
What are composition of lymphatic system

Lymph corpuscles:

Various cells present in lymph plasma are known as lymph corpuscles. In lymph plasma amoeboid cells present. They are responsible for engulfing the external microbes. In lymph plasma white blood cells are present. Lymphocyte present in lymph flow. lymph platelets are absent. Red blood cells are also absent here. 

Lymphoid Organs:

Connective tissues make networks of the lymphoid organ. Clusters of different  cells, like macrophages get mess in between the connective tissue fibres and make lymphoid organs. In bone marrow lymphocytes are produced. From bone marrow lymphocytes go to the lymphoid organ. In lymphoid organ lymphocytes perform their functions.

Lymphocytes present in the lymphatic organ go to the place of infection to destroy the microbes. Lymphocytes grow in the lymphoid organ when any types of external microbes enter the body. Thymus gland, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, Peyer’s patches are the lymphoid organ. Mucosal associated lymphoid tissue is also a lymphoid organ.

What are composition of lymphatic system
What are composition of lymphatic system

In lymphoid organs lymphocytes become mature. Proliferation of lymphocytes occurs in lymphoid organs. So we can imagine that lymphoid organs act like police stations and the lymphocyte are policemen of our immunity system. 

Reference: What are composition of lymphatic system

Read More: Function of lymphatic system detailed study

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