How is lymph formed. Outflow, movement, purification, stagnation, composition and function of lymph

Lymph is a liquid tissue of the body, contained in lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. In the human body, lymph is formed in an amount of 2-4 liters per day. It is a transparent liquid, the density of which reaches 1,026. The lymphatic reaction is alkaline, pH is 7.35-9.0. This liquid helps maintain the water balance and is able to wash pathological microorganisms from the tissues.

Composition of lymph

This liquid tissue circulates in the vessels of the lymphatic system and is found in almost all organs. Most of it in organs with a high permeability of blood vessels: in the liver, spleen, skeletal muscles, and also in the heart.

It should be noted that its composition is unstable, because it depends on the organs and tissues, from which it flows off. The main constituents are water, decay products of organic compounds, lymphocytes and leukocytes. Unlike tissue fluid, lymph has a higher protein content. Its chemical composition resembles a blood plasma, but its viscosity is smaller.

The composition of lymph also includes anions, enzymes and vitamins. In addition, it contains substances that increase the coagulation capacity of blood. If the small blood vessels (capillaries) are damaged, the number of lymphocytes increases. Also in lymph is a small amount of monocytes and granulocytes.

It is worth noting that human lymph is devoid of platelets, but it can clot, since it contains fibrinogen. In this case a loose clot of yellow color is formed. In addition, in this fluid, the factors of humoral immunity (lysozyme, properdin), as well as complement, are revealed, although the bactericidal capacity of lymph is much lower than that of blood.

The meaning of lymph

It is possible to note such basic functions of a lymph:

• return of electrolytes, proteins and water from the interstitial space to the bloodstream;

• Normal lymphocirculation ensures the formation of maximally concentrated urine;

• Lymph carries many substances that are absorbed in the digestive system, including fats;

• individual enzymes (eg, lipase or histamine) can enter the blood only through the lymphatic system (metabolic function);

• lymph takes from the tissues red blood cells, which accumulate there after trauma, as well as toxins and bacteria (protective function);

• it provides a link between organs and tissues, as well as the lymphoid system and blood;

• maintenance of a constant microenvironment of cells, i.e., a homeostatic function.

In addition, in the lymph nodes are formed lymphocytes and antibodies, which take part in the immune response of the body. With cancer, lymph is the main way of spreading cancer cells.

It is worth noting that lymph, tissue fluid and blood are closely related, so provide homeostasis.

Lymphatic formation

This process is based on filtration, diffusion, osmosis and the difference in hydrostatic pressure, which is recorded in capillaries and in the intercellular fluid.

How is lymph formed? In this process, the degree of permeability of lymphatic vessels is of great importance. Thus, particles of different sizes pass through the walls of lymphatic capillaries in two main ways:

1. Intercellular, when highly dispersed particles pass through the intercellular spaces, the size of which reaches 10 nm - 10 μm.

2. Through the endothelium, such transport of substances is associated with their direct movement with the help of micropinocytosis vesicles and blisters.

It is worth noting that these paths work simultaneously.

If you answer the question "how is lymph formed", it is worth remembering the oncotic pressure. So, high hydrostatic blood pressure promotes the formation of lymph, and high oncotic pressure inhibits this process. The filtration of the liquid passes through the capillaries, and it returns to the venous channel, since there is a pressure difference at the venous and arterial end of the capillaries.

It is worth noting that the permeability of lymphocapillaries varies depending on the functional state of the organs, as well as under the influence of various mechanical, chemical, as well as humoral or nervous factors. The speed of lymph formation and its volume depends on the relationship between systemic and lymphatic circulation. So, if the minute volume of circulation is 6 liters, 15 ml of liquid is filtered through the blood capillaries, 12 ml of which is reabsorbed back, but 5 ml remains in the interstitial space, and then returns to the circulatory system through the lymph vessels.

To better understand how and where lymph is formed, it is necessary to know the features of the structure of the lymphatic system.

Features of the organization of the lymphatic system

The initial link is the lymphatic capillaries. They are located in all tissues and organs. There are no only them in the brain and spinal cord, eyeballs and in the inner ear, as well as in the skin epithelium, in the spleen, bone marrow, placenta.

Lymphocapillaries are capable of uniting, forming lymphocapillary nets and larger lymph vessels that have three membranes:

• internal - consists of cells called endotheliocytes;

• Medium - contains cells of smooth muscle tissue;

• external - connective tissue.

It should be noted that the lymph vessels have valves. Thanks to them, the movement of lymph occurs only in one direction - from the periphery to the center. As a rule, the lymphatic vessels from muscles and organs come out with blood vessels and are called deep vessels.

Important components of the lymphatic system are lymph nodes. They serve as a filter and provide immune protection of the body. Lymph nodes are located near large blood vessels, usually in groups, can be superficial or located in the internal cavities of the body. They accumulate and remove from the body viruses and bacteria, as well as foreign particles. When overloaded, lymph nodes increase and become painful, indicating excessive lymphatic contamination. In the groin lymph nodes, as a rule, increase with infection in the pelvis or legs. The inflammatory process can also be associated with allergic reactions, the presence of benign cysts or after overstretching of the muscles.

I must say that in the lymphatic system there are also specific lymphosten and straits, through which lymph drainage from various parts of the body and internal organs occurs.

Features of the movement of lymph

About 180 ml of lymph enter the lymphatic vessels per hour, and up to 4 liters of this fluid can pass through the lymphatic duct during the day. Subsequently, she returns to the common bloodstream. Knowing how the lymph is formed, it is worth familiarizing with the way it moves through the body.

Since lymph is formed in the lymphatic capillaries, a more intensive filtration of the fluid from the blood vessels leads to an acceleration of its formation and an increase in its speed. Among the factors that increase lymphogenesis, the following should be mentioned:

• high hydrostatic pressure in capillaries;

• high functional activity of organs;

• high permeability of capillaries;

• the introduction of hypertonic solutions.

The main role in the movement of lymph is given to the creation of a primary hydrostatic pressure. It promotes the movement of the bodice from the lymphatic capillaries towards the outflowing vessels.

What ensures its further movement? The lymph is formed from the tissue fluid. In this case, the main force that facilitates its movement from the place of formation to the confluence of the veins of the neck is the rhythmic contraction of the lymphangions.

Features of the structure of lymphangions. Other mechanisms of movement of lymph

Lymphangiomas are tubular formations that have valves and a muscular "cuff". These education can be called a kind of lymphatic heart. So, they accumulate lymph, which leads to a stretching of the "cuff". In this case, the distal valve of the lymphangia closes, and the proximal valve, on the contrary, opens. As a result, the lymph moves to the next lymphangionum (and so on before entering the venous system).

If we talk about the structure of the walls of lymphangions, they are represented by adrenergic fibers, which modulate spontaneous rhythmic contractions. Smooth muscles of the lymphangia are also capable of contraction, which leads to increased pressure in the lymphatic vessels and the flow of lymph into the bloodstream. This process can affect some hormones, BAS (for example, histamine), as well as changes in the concentration of metabolic compounds and high temperature.

The described mechanism of lymphatic movement is the main one, but there are also secondary factors. Thus, when you breathe in, lymph flows out of the chest lymphatic flow more intensively, and with exhalation this process slows down. Due to the movements of the diaphragm, the tanks of this strait are periodically compressed and stretched, which facilitates the further movement of the lymph.

The intensity of the lymph flow is also affected by a rhythmic contraction of the organs (heart and intestines), which leads to a more active transition of the tissue fluid into the lumen of the capillaries. The contractions of the skeletal muscles that surround the lymphatic vessels are also capable of squeezing lymph, as they promote its mechanical movement, and also increase the contractility of the lymphangions that are located in the muscle fiber. Thanks to this movement of the lymph along the vessels is accelerated.

Stagnant phenomena in the lymphatic system

Lack of lymph circulation is a violation of the formation or movement of lymph. Many diseases are accompanied by disorders in the lymphatic system, which is often crucial in the progression of the pathological process.

With insufficient lymph circulation, lymph can not cope with its main task - the removal of metabolites from the tissues of the body with sufficient speed. In this case, the mechanical failure of lymph circulation may have a general or regional character.

Stasis of lymph is manifested by various symptoms, which depends on a number of factors:

• from the zone in which lymphostasis develops;

• the characteristics of the lymphatic net;

• the age of the patient;

• the rate at which lymphatic insufficiency develops.

Impaired lymph current leads to accumulation of toxic products. When lymphatic vessels are damaged, thrombi arise, which, as a rule, consist of leukocytes and fibrin. They are delayed by regional lymph nodes, so there is no danger.

It should be noted that lymphostasis is especially dangerous in infectious pathologies and malignant diseases, since it causes the generalization of lesions and the appearance of retrograde metastases (spread against the lymph flow).

A common clinical manifestation of insufficiency of lymph circulation is edema. Stasis of lymph is accompanied by hypoxia of tissues, disturbances of metabolic processes and water-electrolyte balance, as well as dystrophic and sclerotic phenomena. With the general stagnation of lymph varices of lymphatic vessels develop, hypertrophy of their muscle fibers, as well as sclerosis of intins, changes in valves.

Violation of the coagulation capacity of lymph

It is known that in lymph there are almost all components that are responsible for the processes of clotting, antifoaming and fibrinolysis, therefore intravascular coagulation is peculiar not only to the blood but also to the lymphatic vessels. In this case, tissue clotting factors affect not only hemostasis, but also permeability of the vessels and interstitial transport of tissue fluid. In this case, the mechanisms that cause blood clotting can provoke similar phenomena in lymphatic capillaries, vessels and nodes.

It is worth noting that the relationship between the various components of blood and lymph has been studied little, but it is known that various pathological processes have different effects on the coagulation of lymph. So, with the introduction of heterogeneous blood, the ability of lymph to coagulate disappears, as the amount of natural anticoagulants increases. It is believed that a significant amount of anticoagulants in this case is formed in the liver, and lymph only transports them into the blood.

About the violation of coagulation of lymph in the development of thromboses is practically nothing known. There are experimental data that confirm that the quantitative changes in blood and lymph may be somewhat different, but their direction is identical. In addition, it is known that thrombosis is accompanied by a slight slowing of the lymph flow from the drained thoracic lymphocyte, and the formation of a venous thrombus is accompanied by marked changes in blood and lymph. This pattern indicates that there is every reason not only to theoretically study the features of coagulation processes in the lymphatic system, but also to use them in clinical practice.

Lymph cleansing: indications

When the normal functioning of the lymphatic system is disturbed, a significant number of harmful compounds accumulate in the intercellular space. In this case, lymph is contaminated, which leads to the development of lymphostasis. This condition is accompanied by an increase in the load on the organs, especially on the liver, kidneys and intestines. To prevent the damaging effects of toxins, you need to provide lymph drainage and a constant outflow of intercellular fluid.

Indications for cleaning the lymphatic system are the following conditions:

• Inadequate detoxification of the body due to disruption of the liver and intestines (hepatitis, colitis, dysbacteriosis, constipation and bile stasis);

• frequent colds;

• chronic infectious disease of the pelvic organs (eg, cystitis, adnexitis or endometritis);

• intestinal infections or other pathologies that are accompanied by significant intoxication;

• Skin diseases;

• allergic lesions (eg, neurodermatitis, eczema, or atopic dermatitis);

• Conditions accompanied by massive damage to tissues and absorption of decomposition products into the bloodstream (trauma, burns and fractures);

• impaired blood circulation due to blood loss, thrombosis, embolism;

• Endocrine pathologies, especially obesity, diabetes and thyroid pathologies.

The main methods of purifying lymph

Before you clean the lymph, it is worth consulting with a doctor who will determine possible contraindications and help you choose the most optimal option.

Method number 1 . Gives positive results for arthrosis and arthritis, which occur with the formation of edema, indications are also ischemic heart disease, chronic thrombophlebitis and respiratory diseases, osteochondrosis. You can not use this technique for allergies to citrus fruits, as well as if the patient has diabetes.

It is necessary to take 900 ml of juice of oranges, the same amount of juice from grapefruit, as well as 200 ml of fresh lemon juice. All this should be diluted 2 liters of thawed water. In the morning, do not have breakfast, make an enema of 2 liters of water, which must first add 2 tablespoons. L. Apple cider vinegar. After staging the enema, drink 100 ml of water in which the Glauber's salt is dissolved , take a hot shower immediately, then drink 200 ml of a pre-prepared mixture of citrus juices and thawed water. In the future, you should drink all 4 liters of this mixture (portioned, 100 ml every half hour).

Purification of lymph by this method should be carried out for three days. It should be remembered that after this you can not suddenly switch to the usual diet, the diet needs to be expanded gradually. It is recommended to drink juices, eat fruits, boiled vegetables and cereals.

Method number 2 . It helps to clear lymph, remove slags and saturate the body with vitamins. In the morning, a cleansing enema should be made. Then you need to eat one grated lemon with steamed peel in combination with honey and fruit sugar. Every day you need to use one lemon more, bringing the amount to 15. Then their amount should be reduced, eating every day for 1 lemon less.

Method number 3 . You need to take lemons, beets, carrots, pomegranates (all 2 kg), squeeze juice, mix with honey and take 10 days on an empty stomach after 50 ml, then make a five-day break. Such courses should be repeated until the end of the prepared mixture, which should be stored in a refrigerator with a tightly closed lid.

Method number 4 . It is recommended that Tibetan doctors cleanse the lymph as follows. It is necessary to take 200 ml of fresh juice of carrots and beets in a ratio of 4: 1 daily before meals. At the same time, you should take the celandine infusion according to the appropriate schedule: on an empty stomach in the morning - 1 drop, before dinner - 2 drops, in the evening for dinner - 3 drops, etc., bringing the dose to 15 drops, and then reducing the amount of infusion to the initial dosing Up to 1 drop).

To prepare this infusion, the herb celandine should be crushed and squeezed juice, then strain it. After that, for every 450 mg of juice, add 70 ml of alcohol. The resulting infusion should be stored in the refrigerator.

It should be noted that this method of purifying the lymphatic system is also beneficial in the presence of hypertension, digestive diseases, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and osteochondrosis in patients.

Conclusion

If we sum up, we can say that lymph is a liquid that surrounds and bathes all the cells of the human body. The primary goal of lymph is the cleansing of tissues and organs from decay products. The circulation of lymph is closely related to blood circulation and ensures the optimal physical condition of a person and a high level of his vital energy.

How is lymph formed? As mentioned above, this is a rather complex process, which takes several schemes and depends on many factors. Cleansing the body through lymph is that it takes away excess fluid, as well as metabolic products from the intercellular space, and transfers them to the lymph nodes that are "filtration stations". In addition to purifying the body, lymph performs a protective function, since it helps to get rid of foreign agents and pathogens.

Lymph is an important regulator of metabolic processes in the body, as well as a factor of nutrition of cells. In cases of impaired lymph formation or slowing of its circulation, stagnation of the intercellular fluid develops, which leads to the appearance of edema. It should also be noted that delayed circulation of lymph leads to excessive fatigue, as well as to the inertia of vital processes, which in the future can cause various diseases and premature aging of cells.

Considering such functions of lymph, it is recommended to clean it at least twice a year using appropriate methods. This cleansing allows the body to get rid of excess and harmful substances and function at an optimal level.