Lymphatic Circulation

The lymphatic system is a drainage system that removes lymph from the bloodstream. Lymph vessels contain valves and converge into two large main trunks, the thoracic duct and the right lymph duct. The vessels are not very visible, but the lymph nodes (or ganglia), which filter all of the lymph from one area, can easily be detected. There is a relatively large number of lymph nodes. Some are superficial and can be felt, others are deep (in the large cavities of the body) and are visible only with X-rays or ultrasound. Hypertrophy of the lymph nodes usually indicates inflammation in the drainage area, which is why it is important to palpate them during a clinical examination. The lymph nodes are also a preferred site where cancerous cells pass from one organ to another. This is why the ganglia are removed at the same time as tumors, in order to limit the spread of the disease.

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