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About Lymphocytes, Lymph Nodes, Lymph Vessels, and Lymph Fluid
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. White blood cells include neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes form teams to attack foreign invaders such as viruses and tumor cells (cancer cells). Additionally, they have the ability to remember these invaders and respond quickly to eliminate them if they invade the body again (immune memory).
These lymphocyte teams consist of cells like NK cells, B cells (B lymphocytes), and T cells (T lymphocytes). B cells primarily eliminate foreign substances through humoral immunity (antibodies, which are proteins that react specifically with foreign substances), while T cells do so primarily through cellular immunity (cellular components).
What are Lymph Nodes?
Lymph nodes are one of the immune organs distributed throughout the body.
Immunity refers to the system that “avoids disease,” meaning it is responsible for detecting, attacking, and eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders (non-self) as well as altered self-cells (tumor cells, including cancer cells) entering the body from the outside.
Lymph nodes act as checkpoint stations where lymph fluid, which has collected from tissues throughout the body, flows through lymph vessels and is checked for foreign substances like bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
Lymph nodes are populated with lymphocytes responsible for immune functions.
Causes of lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy) include infections, allergic diseases, immune disorders, blood cancers, and lymph node metastasis from other organs.
Blood Vessels and Lymph Vessels
The vessels that blood flows through are called blood vessels, while the vessels that lymph fluid flows through are called lymph vessels.
Blood vessels transport blood throughout the body, which you may already know. Blood vessels that extend from the heart are called arteries, which gradually branch out and become thinner, turn into capillaries that traverse the body, and then collect into veins, becoming thicker as they re-enter the lungs to exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen, and finally return to the heart.
In contrast, lymph vessels are unidirectional, somewhat like one-way streets.
They begin as capillary lymph vessels in the peripheral areas (the farthest reaches) of the body. The starting points are closed and not connected to any tissues.
Lymph vessels are composed of a single layer of cells with thin walls; their structure is similar to veins but with thinner walls and higher permeability, allowing larger molecules like proteins and pathogens that do not typically enter blood vessels to pass through. Nerves are also present. Initially, they start as thin, web-like capillary lymph vessels that gradually merge and form larger collecting lymph vessels and principal lymph vessels. Eventually, they culminate in two large ducts known as the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct, which drain into the veins.
Lymph fluid flows towards the exit where it connects with the veins, moving in one direction.
It generally does not flow backward. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph fluid does not have a major pump. Instead, it is propelled by the pressure from the contractions and relaxations of muscles caused by the movements of humans or animals, the pressure changes within the chest due to respiration, and external stimuli such as massage. This pressure is weak, and the flow speed of lymph fluid is slower compared to blood. The flow rate is also not constant.
Function of Lymph Fluid
The fluid flowing inside lymph vessels is called lymph fluid (sometimes simply lymph). The main component of lymph fluid is plasma, the liquid part of blood.
Blood circulates from the heart and back to the heart, delivering nutrients throughout the body and exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
While blood circulates throughout the body, there are tissues that do not circulate, and part of the tissue fluid enters the capillary lymph vessels, becoming lymph fluid.
Tissue fluid contains waste products expelled from cells, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are also taken up by the lymph vessels.
Lymph fluid functions as the sewage system of the body.
The transformation of lymphocytes and lymph nodes into cancer in dogs is referred to as canine malignant lymphoma, and in cats, it is known as feline malignant lymphoma.
As mentioned above, since lymphatic fluid circulates throughout the body, lymphoma can develop in various parts of the body.
Cordy for Lymphoma Tumor Management
Research is being conducted on the potential for improvement of lymphoma and cancers metastasized to lymph nodes by using Cordy to enhance immune response.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
