Both the circulatory system and the lymphatic system are considered among the most important vital systems in the human body because they play an effective role in maintaining the health of the body and the continuation of its functions. Although the circulatory system and the lymphatic system differ in structure and function, there are some similarities between them because they both share in maintaining immunity and the internal balance of the body. In this article, we will talk about similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system, and we will also learn about the difference between blood and lymph.
Similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system
Similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system are:
Transportation:
Both transport fluids through different parts of the body to maintain fluid balance within the body.
Filtration:
Both the lymphatic system and the circulatory system can purify and filter fluids of the body.
Vessels:
Both contain vessels to transport these fluids, such as the lymphatic vessels of the lymphatic system, veins and capillaries of the circulatory system.
Pumping:
Both systems have pumps that help them move the fluid in them. The pumps in the lymphatic system are the muscles, while the pump in the circulatory system is the heart.
Similarities between Blood and Lymph
After we learned the similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system, there are some similarities between blood and lymph, as each of them is a type of fluid that flows through different parts of the body inside vessels, each in its vessel. They also have a common function in increasing the body’s immunity and protecting it against diseases and attacking viruses and bacteria that attack the body, which protects the body from many diseases.
Difference between Blood and Lymph
After we learned the similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system, we will now learn about the Difference Between Blood and Lymphatic Circulation, as blood is a red fluid that flows through the circulatory system and transports oxygen, nutrients, and some other substances such as hormones to different parts of the body which is necessary so that it can perform its work properly, and it also rids the body of toxins and excess carbon dioxide.
Blood consists of RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and plasma. Plasma carries calcium, phosphorus, proteins and other substances. Blood flows rapidly in the blood vessels and moves in a circular motion around different parts of the body, where the ends of the arteries connect to the ends of the veins until the blood returns to the heart.
As for lymph, it is a colorless fluid, a part of the immune system, which defends the body against germs and bacteria. The lymph consists of plasma that contains a number of proteins and a small number of platelets and white blood cells, but it is devoid of red blood cells, and lymph flows slowly through different parts of the body in one direction.
How is the lymphatic system related to the circulatory system?
When talking about similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system, it must be known that blood works to transport food and oxygen to different parts of the body through plasma so that the body’s cells can benefit from it in performing its function. This process leads to the accumulation of some toxins and waste resulting from food consumption to perform the designated Lymphatic circulatory system parts and functions. The plasma reabsorbs about 75% of it, and about 25% remains.
The lymphatic capillaries collect the remaining 25% of waste resulting from the cells and transport them in the lymphatic capillaries to the large lymphatic vessels that eventually drain into the main lymphatic vessel located in the upper part of the chest. The lymph is poured back into the large blood vessels, where it returns to the blood again to get rid of all waste in the end through the kidneys.
FAQs
What happens if the lymph does not return to the blood?
The failure of the lymph to return to the blood leads to the accumulation of many fluids in the body, which leads to severe damage to the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. It leads to what is called lymphedema, which results in severe swelling in the legs or arms, which leads to a feeling of heaviness and difficulty moving and a feeling of stiffness and coldness in the hands or feet.
The body’s immunity also decreases, leading to many diseases such as colds, flu, sinusitis, digestive problems, and food allergies, so it is important to take care of the health of the lymphatic system.
What is the similarity between lymphatic vessels and veins?
Lymphatic vessels are very similar to veins in their structure, as each of them transports fluid in one direction, so there are valves in each of them to prevent the reverse flow of fluid in the wrong direction. The walls of both lymphatic vessels and veins consist of three layers: an inner layer, a middle layer of muscle to help transport fluid, and an outer layer. The muscle layer found in blood vessels is softer than that found in lymphatic vessels.
Why are there no RBCs in lymph?
The composition of lymph is very similar to that of blood, as it contains a portion of white blood cells and platelets, but it is devoid of red blood cells. Red blood cells are large and cannot enter through the narrow lymphatic capillaries. If these cells enter, they are broken and cause tissue damage.
There are many similarities between the lymphatic system and the circulatory system because each of them plays an effective role in maintaining fluids inside the body and fighting infection to protect the body from diseases. But there are also differences between them so that both lymph and blood can do their job, as both blood and lymph maintain immunity while blood only transports food and oxygen to different parts of the body.
