Lymphatic System: History, Anatomy, Physiology, Challenges, and Opportunities

The lymphatic system has undergone a tremendous revolution over time, from descriptions of its macroscopic components to molecular lymphology and lymphangiogenesis, until now. Huge contributions have been made by scholars and scientists in this field. The reason being it regulates fluid balance, supports immunological function, and facilitates nutrient absorption in terms of its vessels and nodes. Yet even though decades of research have gone into them, the physiological functions remain not well understood while the detailed structure cannot be visualized due to the absence of coloring in the lymphatic fluid. This historical context high lights advances made by such notable individuals as Gabriele Falloppio, William Harvey, Olaus Rudbeck, and others who helped lay down the foundation for our current understanding of the system’s functioning. On one hand, these problems make it difficult to understand biological processes; on the other hand, they offer possibilities for understanding them through modeling studies dealing with human lymphatics. Better comprehension of these challenges is essential for areas like oncology research, immunological response studies, edema therapy, and surgery techniques where any progress must be based on this knowledge. This chapter covers the historical background, anatomy and physiology, and challenges and opportunities within the lymphatic system.