The Lymphatic System in Body Homeostasis: Physiological Conditions

The lymphatic system is an organized network composed of functionally interrelated lymphoid tissue, and transportation pathways of tissue fluid/lymph and lymphoid cells. Its main components are 1. migrating dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, organized lymphoid tissue such as lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue in gut and lungs, liver lymphoid cells, and the dendritic cell network of nonlymphoid organs; 2. vessels (intercellular space, lymphatics, and perivascular spaces); 3. fluids (tissue fluid and lymph). The lymphatic system can be divided into the following compartments: peripheral (from the interstitial space to and within the nearest lymph node), and central (efferent lymphatics, cysterna chyli, and thoracic duct, all lymphoid organs). Organs and tissues with the most active afferent arm of the lymphatic system are skin, gut, and lungs. These are the body structures exposed to the external environment. All other nonlymphoid bodily tissues are also percolated by tissue fluid/lymph, and contain a network of dendritic cells and macrophages. Data obtained from normal human subjects on lymph composition and flow are presented. Future trends in lymphatic research are outlined.