What is the source of lymph?

Many have heard of a concept like lymph, but not everyone knows what it is, what it is made of and why it is needed. It is considered a liquid tissue, which is located in the corresponding vessels and nodes. In a day it can form up to four liters. The lymph is a clear liquid with a density not exceeding 1,026. It maintains the water balance in the body, and also removes viruses from the tissues.

The mechanism of education

At the first stage of lymph formation, tissue fluid is secreted from the blood plasma. This occurs as a result of filtration of the latter in the capillaries. Water and electrolytes are mixed with other structures. This is how the tissue fluid appears, part of which flows back into the blood, and the rest - forms lymph in the corresponding capillaries. This shows that it exists only in the internal environment of the body.

Composition of lymph

The liquid tissue passes through the vessels of the lymphatic system. This gives her the opportunity to get into almost every part of the body. Most of all, it is observed in organs in which they have a high permeability of blood vessels. The most filled are the heart, spleen, liver and skeletal muscle tissue.

It is important to note that in lymph, in contrast to blood, the composition constantly changes. The fact is that it directly depends on the tissues and organs from where it flows. In general, the main components are always:

In addition, the composition also can be observed enzymes, vitamins and substances that increase blood coagulability. If there is damage to the capillaries, the number of lymphocytes automatically begins to increase. There is no platelet in this fluid, but it still has the property of coagulation, since it contains fibrinogen. In addition, under different circumstances in the composition can be found lysozyme, properdin and complement.

Regulation of lymphogenesis

The regulation of this process is primarily aimed at increasing or decreasing the filtration of water and other components that enter the plasma. The process occurs due to the work of the autonomic nervous system, which by means of humoral-vasoactive substances is capable of changing blood pressure and permeability of the vessel walls.

In addition, the entire process is affected by oncotic pressure. Despite the low permeability of the walls of capillaries, they can pass up to 200 g of protein per day in a liquid, from which lymph is formed. This increases the pressure, as a result of which water is actively absorbed, which accelerates the outflow of this substance - an ejection phase is formed.

All proteins that were previously obtained from the blood return back, only through the lymphatic system. For one day, recycling of 50 to 100% protein can occur. This concept is called the "Basic Law of Lymphology".

In addition, other mechanisms contribute to outflow: the contractile capacity of the walls of the vessels, the presence of a valve apparatus, the progress of blood along neighboring vessels, and the negative pressure in the chest.

Main functions

Lymph affects not only the organs where it forms. It participates in many processes, the most important of which are: