Definition of lymph - What it is, Meaning and Concept

The lymph is a component of blood plasma : that is, of the liquid portion of the blood .This transparent fluid passes through the capillary walls, advances through the interstitial space of the tissues and is loaded with substances produced by the cells before entering the lymphatic vessels.

Once in the lymphatic vessels, lymph circulates and finally arrives to ducts that end in the veins and so it is incorporated into the blood.Your journey through the lymphatic system is possible by limb movement, pulsation of arteries and muscle contractions.Unlike which occurs in the circulatory system, there is no organ in charge of pumping (action performed by the heart in the case of blood circulation).

It is important to note that the Lymph circulation is very slow, and this is due to the aforementioned absence of an organ that drives it.venous theme is where the total lymph ends, which passes through two fundamental ducts : the thoracic and the right lymphatic.

With a high amount of lipids and a reduced level of proteins , lymph contains leukocytes (white blood cells) and certain microorganisms that are filtered by lymph nodes.estimates that a person has about two liters of lymph in his body.

In the body, lymph fulfills three major functions.On the one hand it is responsible for the absorption of nutrients from the digestive system, which contributes to the subclavian veins.On the other hand, lymph collects and returns the interstitial fluid to the bloodstream, and finally also focuses on the defense against the action of certain pathogens.

When a blockage is registered in a lymphatic vessel, lymph accumulates in the clogged region.This causes edema : a swelling of a body sector.

The interstitial liquid is also known as the tissue liquid and is the one in the interstitium, that is, in the space between the cells .It is estimated that of the total of our body tissues, the interstitium occupies approximately one sixth.As mentioned above, lymph is responsible for transporting it to the blood.

Said from another perspective, interstitial fluid is produced continuously in the space between the cells because of the circulation of blood.Its excess is directed towards the capillaries lymphatic, after which returns to the venous system.

With respect to the fats we consume through food, the lymph is responsible for transporting it.First, the epithelial cells of the wall intestinal called enterocytes absorb them and create complex particles called chylomicrons , with a load of triglycerides.

The chylomicrons then join the lymph, which takes them to the bloodstream.This indicates the great importance of the lymph in the process of assimilation of fats from the diet .It originates in the intestine after a fat-rich meal exhibits a creamy consistency and is called chilo .

The immune response is the third of the lymph functions mentioned in a previous paragraph and takes place through a complex organization.On the one hand we have the lymph nodes (also known as lymph nodes , nodules or lymph nodes ) in which we find several cells of the immune system , particularly lymphocytes.The latter attack the microorganisms until they are destroyed and defend the body from any infection due to an external agent.The lymph nodes are crossed by the lymphatic vessels.