The lymphatic system is parallel to the blood vessel system. It returns fluid to the bloodstream.

Lymph nodes are small knobs of tissue that filter the lymph before the fluid is returned to the blood system.

 In contrast to the blood circulation, which uses the pumping of the heart to circulate its flow, lymph is propelled through the vessels primarily by the rhythmic contractions of tiny muscular units (lymphangions) which form the lymph collectors. The lymphatic system has a slow rhythm, low velocity and low pressure. You have twice as many lymph vessels and capillaries as you have blood vessels and capillaries!

The lymph vessels transport the lymph to the lymph nodes, which are soft, ovoid organs lying along the course of lymphatic vessels. They range in size from mm. There can be from nodes scattered throughout the human body. Half of them are located in the abdomen; many are in the cervical (neck) region. The main groups of nodes are found in the major articulations of the body, with the exception of the wrists.

Lymph nodes filter the lymph and also contain large numbers of white blood cells (a big part of the immune system), which remove foreign cells and debris from the lymph. When you get certain infections, the lymph nodes swell with billions of white blood cells working to clear the foreign cells that are causing the infection. The filtered lymph then flows back into the blood stream at certain points. One thing this explains is how a shot at the doctor's office works. The fluid of the shot is injected into the lymph, not the blood stream. But eventually it makes it to the bloodstream through the lymph system.

Intestinal Trunk Lumbar Trunk Bronchmediastinal Trunk Subclavian Trunk Jugular Trunks

Thoracic duct: Right lymphatic duct

Lymphocyte cells are produced in the bone marrow. There are two major classes: T cells processed in the thymus, and B cells which mature outside of the thymus. T cells act as messengers and destroyers against pathogens. B cells secrete antibodies that match a specific invading antigen. A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell which function is to find and eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials.

The formation of lymphocytes or lymphatic tissue

 This complex system patrols and guards the body against attackers from without and within, regulating susceptibility to cancers, infectious diseases, allergies, and autoimmune disorders. The organs of the immune system include the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, appendix and certain tissues in the small intestine (Peyer’s patches). These are known as the lymphoid organs as they are involved with the development and deployment of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that are crucial to the healthy functioning of the immune system.

 There are multiple “stressors” that negatively affect the immune system: age, viruses and bacteria, drugs and certain medical therapies, allergies, autoimmune disorders, malignancies, immunodeficiency's, environmental toxins, and even thoughts and emotions.

 If not working properly, fluid builds in your tissues and causes swelling, called lymphedema. Other lymphatic system problems can include infections, blockage, and cancer.

 Did you know that the lymph system is twice the size of our other circulatory system? It true. Twice as much lymph as blood is present in our bodies, and we have twice as many lymph vessels and capillaries as blood vessels. The key to health is to keep your lymphatic system open and flowing freely.

 The lymphatic system is as essential to bodily function as the bloodstream it complements. To keep it clear, you need to increase its drainage capacity or reduce its intake of toxins. One can do both through diet, stress reduction, exercise and deep breathing. Deep breathing is important, because it makes your lymphatic system work better.

 The lymph collected throughout the body drains into the blood through two ducts situated at the base of the neck, the main one being the thoracic duct. Breathing drives this action. If you take a deep breath and exhale deeply, you’re massaging the thoracic duct upward into the neck so that the fluid flows generously. This duct empties the lymph into the veins, where it becomes part of the blood plasma. From there the lymph returns to the liver for metabolization, and finally to the kidneys for filtering.

 Previously noted, the lymph system doesn’t have a heart to keep it flowing. It is dependent on contraction of the muscles and breathing. So, breathe deeply and exercise. No matter what exercise you choose, the important thing is to do it regularly and habitually. No matter what exercise you prefer, the key is consistency.