Unit 8: Impact of lymphatic disorder and associated treatments
This assignment will contain information related to the functioning of the lymphatic system, the
deterioration of the system due to a lymphatic disease and the treatments that utilised to help nurse
the effects of the lymphatic disease.
What is the lymphatic system?
The immune system of the body, which includes the lymphatic system, protects the body from
illness and infection. The lymphatic system can function as a drainage system, transferring fluid from
the body's tissues into the blood, but it also contains lymphocytes, which are blood cells that fight
pathogens and infections that have invaded the body. The appendix, the thymus, the tonsils, the
lymph nodes, the spleen, the lymphatic veins, and the lymph fluid are among the different organs
that make up the lymphatic system, each of which has a specific function within the lymphatic
system.
The lymphatic system is an intricate network of organs, tissues, and vessels that collaborate to carry
out several vital bodily processes. The main duties of the lymphatic system are listed below in
further detail:
1. Interstitial fluid removal: The lymphatic system is in charge of removing extra interstitial fluid
from tissues, which is the fluid that surrounds cells in tissues. This procedure helps to keep the
body's fluid balance in check and avoid swelling and edoema.
2. Fat absorption from the digestive system: The lymphatic system is essential for absorbing fats
from the digestive system. The lacteals in the small intestine are specialised lymphatic veins that
take in dietary lipids and deliver them to the circulation for usage by the organism.
3. Maintenance of hydrostatic pressure: By eliminating extra fluid and proteins that could build
and lead to pressure fluctuations, the lymphatic system aids in the maintenance of hydrostatic
pressure in the body's tissues. This lessens the chance of tissues and cells being harmed.
4. Immune function: The lymphatic system is an important aspect of the body's immune system.
Immune cells found in lymph nodes, which are tiny, bean-shaped organs distributed throughout
the body, aid in recognising and eliminating external invaders like bacteria and viruses. In order
to fight infection and disease, the lymphatic system also aids in the movement of immune cells
and antibodies throughout the body.
5. Elimination of waste: The lymphatic system also aids in the removal of waste and poisons from
the body. These waste materials are gathered and transported by lymphatic vessels to lymph
nodes, where they are filtered and removed.
6. Hormone transport: The lymphatic system is involved in moving hormones around the body.
Glands produce hormones, which the bloodstream carries to the target cells. Excess hormones
and waste materials are moved away from these target cells via the lymphatic system.
,Figure 1: labelled diagram of the lymphatic system
, How the lymphatic system works:
Lymph fluid generally passes through a network of lymph veins. A collection of lymph nodes is
connected to these lymph veins. Filtering is done by the nodes. Everything toxic that the body does
not need is either trapped or destroyed. White blood cells, often known as lymphocytes, are found
inside lymph nodes. These white blood cells go after and destroy cancer cells, viruses, damaged cells,
and germs. lymphocytes come in three varieties: natural killer (NK) cells, which target and destroy
malignant and infected cells, and B cells, which produce antibodies. The waste materials and wiped-
out microorganisms are returned to the bloodstream via the lymph fluid. They are then eliminated
from the blood by the liver or kidneys. Via bowel movements (faeces) or urine, the body eliminates
them together with other waste (urine). Sometimes, germs or viruses that lymph nodes are unable
to immediately eliminate are trapped there. For instance, they might carry out this action if you are
infected. The lymph nodes frequently enlarge and feel itchy when they are combating the infection.
Cancer cells can occasionally travel from the original site of a tumour to other areas of the body.
They can circulate throughout the body through the blood or lymph fluid. These cancer cells may
spread and develop a new tumour if they get to another area of the body. This is referred to as a
metastasis or secondary cancer. From a tumour elsewhere in the body, cancer cells can occasionally
move into the lymph nodes. This is referred to as secondary lymph node carcinoma. Moreover, the
lymph nodes themselves might become cancer. It is known as lymphoma. The lymph nodes may
swell but are typically painless if they have malignancy.
The lymphatic system is composed of many components that cooperate to carry out their functions.
The roles of each component are broken down below, along with how they each contribute to the
efficient operation of the entire system:
Functions of parts of the lymphatic system:
Spleen- The spleen is an organ that can be found in the upper left abdomen, next to the diaphragm.
It is a component of the lymphatic system, which is in charge of preventing infections and preserving
the proper fluid balance within the body. The spleen serves a number of purposes, such as:
Blood filtration: Old or damaged red blood cells and other cellular waste are removed from the
blood by the spleen. Moreover, it purges the blood of some diseases and foreign elements.
White blood cell production: Lymphocytes, which are crucial for the immunological response,
are among the white blood cells that the spleen produces.
Blood storage: The spleen keeps a reserve of blood that can be drained into the bloodstream in
the event of an accident or other circumstances where the body requires more blood.
Blood flow regulation: The spleen contributes to blood flow regulation by contracting and
relaxing, which can change the volume of blood passing through it.
The splenic artery, which divides into smaller vessels known as arterioles, supplies blood to the
spleen, allowing it to function. These arterioles subsequently pass into the spleen and divide into
capillaries, which are even smaller vessels. Blood is filtered and white blood cells are made in the
capillaries. The blood then travels through bigger blood vessels called veins and leaves the spleen
before returning to the heart. The lymphatic system as a whole benefits from the spleen's role in
blood filtration and the removal of germs and unwanted objects. Moreover, it aids in blood flow
regulation and creates white blood cells, which are crucial for the immune response. Ultimately, the
lymphatic system, as well as the body as a whole, depend on the spleen to stay healthy and function
properly.
