STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: AN ANATOMICAL OVERVIEW

Abstract

The human lymphatic system is a critical component of the circulatory and immune systems, playing a fundamental role in fluid homeostasis, immune surveillance, and lipid absorption. Unlike the blood vascular system, the lymphatic system is a unidirectional network that transports interstitial fluid, proteins, lipids, and immune cells from tissues to the venous circulation. Anatomically, it comprises lymphatic capillaries, larger lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and associated lymphoid organs such as the spleen, thymus, and tonsils. A detailed understanding of its anatomical configuration is essential for both physiological studies and clinical applications, particularly in oncology, immunology, and vascular surgery.