Comparing the Lymphatic System and Circulatory System- Key Differences and Functional Insights

The lymphatic system differs from the circulatory system in several ways. Whereas the circulatory system carries blood throughout the animal body, the lymphatic system carries lymphatic fluid (lymph) throughout the body. Another difference is in the various components of these systems (Adamczyk et al., 2016). The circulatory systems comprise the heart, blood vessels, and blood, while the lymphatic system comprises the lymphatic vessels, lymphatic capillaries, and lymph. In terms of fluid composition, the circulatory systems contain white and red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, while the lymphatic system contains lymphocytes, proteins, and fats. These systems also differ in the pathologies that they present.

The two differences that struck me were the difference in pathologies presented by these systems as well as the difference in the composition of the fluids circulated by these two systems. Some pathologies are specific to the circulatory systems. These include hypertensive heart disease, cerebral infarction, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure. On the other hand, some pathologies are specific to the lymphatic system and include lymphoma, lymphadenitis, lymphocytosis, and lymphedema, among others. These pathologies differ both in their presentation and in pathophysiology as they target specific components of these systems. Circulatory and lymphatic systems carry blood and lymph, respectively. These fluids have overlapping characteristics but differ in some aspects. Both have lymphocytes as components crucial to their functionalities. However, lymph lacks red blood cells and platelets, components that are otherwise present in the blood. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system. The ultrafiltration of blood produces lymphatic fluid through the microvalves at the capillaries. This leakage of lymph from the blood into the lymphatic vessels is unidirectional and is dependent on the net hydrostatic and oncotic pressure at these capillary sites. The lymphatic system is thus an extension of circulatory systems that not only serve to maintain fluid homeostasis but also aid in the absorption and transport of dietary fats.

References

Adamczyk, L., Gordon, K., Kholová, I., Meijer-Jorna, L., Telinius, N., & Gallagher, P. et al. (2016). Lymph vessels: the forgotten second circulation in health and disease. Virchows Archiv, 469(1), 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-016-1945-6

Ozdowski L, Gupta V. Physiology, Lymphatic System. [Updated 2021 May 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available