L-W-O Community supports primary and secondary lymphoedema by promoting emotional wellness, lymphatic health, self-care, patient empowerment, online and in the community.
Let's explain the lymphatic system
Why Is the Lymphatic System Important?
Understanding the lymphatic system is vital to maintaining good health and providing effective self-care. It is an essential part of the body's immune and circulatory systems. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infections, regulating fluid balance, and removing toxins.
My first reaction to being diagnosed with lymphoedema was 'lymph what?' Like many others, I believed I understood the role of lymph nodes. ' Lymph nodes are associated with cancer, aren't they? Unfortunately, it's not as straightforward as you might think.
As a child, do you remember your mother looking for swollen glands around your neck or jawline when you had a sore throat? This action would determine if a trip to the GP was necessary for antibiotics or if you were sent to school since your mother believed you were not sick. How many of us would have known that this simple action checked a section of the lymphatic system? Did you know that these are your cervical lymph nodes? You can find these in the neck region.
Our Tips: Soothe & Support Swollen Neck Glands
What to Do:
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Apply a warm compress: Use a clean, damp washcloth warmed with water. Gently press it against the swollen area for 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times a day. This can ease discomfort and promote drainage.
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Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to support your immune system and help flush out infection.
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Rest and recover: Prioritise sleep and reduce physical exertion to allow your body to heal.
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In the UK you are encouraged to visit your pharmacist before your GP.
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Pain relief: If needed, take over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen (unless contraindicated) to reduce inflammation and tenderness.
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Monitor symptoms: If swelling persists beyond 2 weeks, becomes hard or immobile, or is accompanied by fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, consult a healthcare provider promptly.
When to Seek Help:
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Diffficulty swallowing or breathing
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Swelling doesn’t improve or worsens after 7–10 days
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Lymph Nodes feel hard, fixed, or unusually large
Getting to Know the Lymphatic System
Let's start with the basics. The lymphatic system is your body's natural drainage and defence network. It's made up of several key parts that work together to keep your fluids balanced and your immune system strong. Here is a quick rundown of the main components.
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Lymph: This is clear fluid that flows through your lymphatic vessels. It carries waste bacteria and other unwanted materials away from your tissues.
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Lymphatic vessels: Think of these as tiny highways that transport lymph fluid throughout your body.
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Lymph nodes: Small bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and trap harmful substances.
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Thymus: An organ where certain immune cells mature.
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Spleen: Helps filter blood and fight infections.
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Tonsils and adenoids: These help protect your body from germs entering through your mouth and nose.
Each of these parts plays a vital role. When they work well, you might not even notice them. But when something goes wrong, like in lymphoedema, understanding these components can make an enormous difference in managing your condition.
How do these components work together?
Imagine your body as a busy city. The lymphatic system is the sanitation and security team. It collects waste and unwanted visitors (like bacteria) and sends them to be dealt with safely. The lymphatic vessels carry the lymph fluid, which picks up waste from your tissues. This fluid then passes through lymph nodes, where immune cells check for anything harmful.
If you ever have swollen glands, you've felt your lymph nodes working overtime. They swell because they are fighting off infection or clearing out debris. The spleen and thymus also help by producing and maturing immune cells that protect you.
The teamwork keeps your body clean and healthy. But if the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked, fluid can build up, leading to swelling and discomfort. That's why knowing about these parts is so important.
The Three Transport Systems of the Body
Veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart from numerous bodily areas. Their walls are thinner than arteries and frequently feature valves to prevent blood backflow. Veins help circulate blood and filter waste products.
Oxygenated blood leaves the heart via arteries. They can handle heart-pumped blood pressure due to their strong, elastic walls. Arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs.
The lymphatic system maintains fluid balance, absorbs digesting lipids, and aids the immune system. These vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, waste, and other chemicals, across the body and into the bloodstream.
Each of these systems is vital for maintaining overall health and ensuring that the body's cells receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products.
It is important to comprehend the roles of the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems in maintaining fluid balance, responding to the immune system, and absorbing nutrients.
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Lymphatic Fluid Movement: The lymphatic system collects fluid squeezed out by the heart's pumping action, returning it to circulation through a network of vessels without a dedicated pump and using valves and muscle contractions for one-way flow.
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Cardiovascular System Function: The cardiovascular system pumps blood through vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells, with high pressure causing fluid to leak from capillaries, which is then collected by the lymphatic system.
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Infection and Immune Response: The lymphatic system aids the immune system by transporting bacteria and macrophages to lymph nodes, where B and T cells can respond to infections and prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
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Nutrient Absorption: The lymphatic system also transports fats from the small intestine, packaged as chylomicrons, into the bloodstream, facilitated by specialised lymphatic vessels called lacteals.
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Composition of Lymph: Lymph, derived from blood, contains water, proteins, and other small molecules but lacks red blood cells, with protein composition varying based on the body's location.
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Overall Purpose of the Lymphatic System: The lymphatic system's three main functions are fluid balance, immune support, and transporting nutrients and waste products into the bloodstream.
From the diagrams, see how the lymphatic system is connected to every aspect of our bodies.
This page was first published 2016
Last Updated September 2025
Next review: September 2026