Sapin M R
Morfologiia. 2007;131(1):18-22.
Up to 80-90th of XX century, lymphatic system was considered as a part of vascular system, performing the functions of drainage of tissue fluid from the organs, in addition to the venous system. In the second half of XX century, detailed research of the organs of lymphatic system, and of lymph nodes in particular, lead to the understanding of a defensive role of this system, which participated in the elimination of foreign (potentially dangerous) particles--fragments of dead cells and other tissue elements. Tissue fluid containing these substances, is absorbed into lymphatic capillaries (where it gains the name of lymph), flows through the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes, which serve as lymph biological filters. In the lymph nodes, the foreign particles are detained on the fibers of the reticular meshwork, where they are recognized by lymphocytes and are eliminated with the help of macrophages. After passage through the lymph nodes, cleared lymph flows into the blood through lymphatic ducts and trunks, which are continuous with the large veins in the lower regions of the neck. Thus, the lymph nodes, that are the organs of immune system, which are formed by lymphoid tissue and possess special structures for the clearance of lymph (tissue fluid), are, at the same time, the organs of lymphatic system. Lymphatic capillaries and vessels provide the transport of the lymph (tissue fluid) to the lymph nodes and conduct the lymph to the blood.
直到20世纪80 - 90年代，淋巴系统都被视为血管系统的一部分，除了静脉系统外，它还执行从器官引流组织液的功能。在20世纪下半叶，对淋巴系统器官，尤其是淋巴结的详细研究，使人们认识到该系统的防御作用，它参与清除外来（潜在危险）颗粒——死细胞碎片和其他组织成分。含有这些物质的组织液被吸收进淋巴管（在这里它被称为淋巴），通过淋巴管流向淋巴结，淋巴结充当淋巴生物过滤器。在淋巴结中，外来颗粒被滞留在网状网络的纤维上，在这里它们被淋巴细胞识别，并在巨噬细胞的帮助下被清除。经过淋巴结后，清除后的淋巴通过淋巴管和淋巴干流入血液，这些淋巴管和淋巴干与颈部下部的大静脉相连。因此，作为免疫系统器官的淋巴结，由淋巴组织构成并拥有清除淋巴（组织液）的特殊结构，同时也是淋巴系统的器官。毛细淋巴管和淋巴管将淋巴（组织液）输送到淋巴结，并将淋巴导入血液。
