BrenaJean

12/08/2025

12/03/2025

🌱 Lymph Class 2: The Fluid Highway – What is Lymph Fluid?

Welcome back, Lymphies 💚! In Class 1, we met the lymphatic system. Today we’re zooming in on the lifeblood of this system — lymph fluid.

💧 What is Lymph Fluid?

Lymph fluid is a clear-to-milky liquid that flows through your lymph vessels. It’s sometimes called your body’s “inner river” because it’s always moving waste and nutrients through your tissues.

Lymph fluid contains:
• Water 💦 – makes up the bulk of it.
• Proteins 🧬 – carried out of tissues for recycling.
• Fats 🍃 – absorbed from your digestive system.
• Immune cells 🛡️ – like lymphocytes and macrophages.
• Waste products ♻️ – toxins, cell debris, bacteria, even excess hormones.

🚰 Why Hydration is Key for Lymph Flow
• Lymph is mostly water — without enough, it becomes thick and sluggish.
• Dehydration = lymph stagnation → puffiness, swelling, fatigue, headaches.
• Hydrated lymph = smooth “river flow” → better detox, more energy, sharper immunity.

Think of lymph like a stream: when there’s enough water, it flows easily; when it dries out, it becomes muddy and still.

🌊 The Flow of Lymph Fluid
1. Starts in tissues: picks up fluid, proteins, and waste.
2. Moves into lymph vessels: pushed by movement, breathing, and lymphangions.
3. Passes through lymph nodes: filtered for bacteria and toxins.
4. Returns to bloodstream: at the venous angles (near collarbones).

It’s a one-way drainage highway keeping you cleansed and balanced.

🔬 Did You Know?
• Every day, about 2–4 liters of fluid are collected by your lymphatic system.
• After a fatty meal, lymph fluid looks milky because of chylomicrons (fat droplets absorbed in your gut).
• When you sweat or urinate more during a detox — it’s lymph fluid doing its job!

🌟 Your Takeaway Today

Your lymph fluid is only as healthy as your hydration and lifestyle. Support it with:
💧 30–35 ml water per kg body weight daily
🥒 Water-rich foods (cucumber, watermelon, citrus)
🧘 Deep breathing to pump fluid
🚶 Gentle daily movement
💆 Lymphatic drainage therapy

📖 This class is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical concerns.

💚 Stay tuned for Class 3: Lymph Nodes – Your Body’s Guardians

— Bianca Botha
CLT, RLD, MLDT, CDS

11/29/2025

Looking at the Lymphatic system shows why belly breathing helps to move fluid upward toward the cervical lymph nodes. Remember: lymph fluid has the tough job of climbing UPWARDS towards our initial lymph nodes, auxiliary lymph nodes and cervical lymph nodes and some of the vessels are right below the skin so be gentle when doing self MLD. No need to massage your muscles!

🌿 The Lymph Nodes: Structure, Sections & Functions

By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS
Property of Lymphatica – Lymphatic Therapy & Body Detox Facility

🌸 Overview

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that act as filtration and immune response stations throughout the lymphatic system. Each node filters lymphatic fluid (lymph) from a specific region of the body, trapping pathogens, waste, and abnormal cells before the lymph is returned to the bloodstream.
There are approximately 600–700 lymph nodes in the human body, grouped into anatomical regions according to drainage zones.

🩵 1. Cervical Lymph Nodes (Neck Region)

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici cervicales

Subdivisions:
• Superficial cervical nodes – along the external jugular vein and under the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Deep cervical nodes – along the internal jugular vein.
• Submental & submandibular nodes – under the chin and jawline.

Function:
• Drain lymph from the scalp, face, nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, and ears.
• Key role in immune defense for upper respiratory and oral infections.
• Commonly swollen with colds, tonsillitis, or sinus congestion.

💚 2. Axillary Lymph Nodes (Armpit Region)

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici axillares

Subdivisions:
• Pectoral (anterior) – along the chest wall and breast tissue.
• Subscapular (posterior) – along the back of the armpit.
• Central – deep within the axilla.
• Apical – near the clavicle.
• Lateral (humeral) – along the upper arm.

Function:
• Drain the upper limbs, chest wall, and breasts.
• Crucial for upper-body detoxification and immune response.
• Commonly assessed after breast surgery or infection.

💜 3. Supraclavicular & Infraclavicular Nodes

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici supraclaviculares / infraclaviculares

Function:
• Filter lymph from the neck, chest, and upper limbs before it enters the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.
• The left supraclavicular node (Virchow’s node) is medically significant — enlargement may indicate abdominal or thoracic pathology.

💗 4. Thoracic (Mediastinal) Lymph Nodes

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici mediastinales

Subdivisions:
• Anterior mediastinal nodes – near the thymus and heart.
• Posterior mediastinal nodes – near the esophagus and descending aorta.
• Bronchopulmonary (hilar) nodes – at the root of the lungs.
• Tracheobronchial nodes – along the trachea.

Function:
• Drain lymph from lungs, trachea, bronchi, and heart.
• Key in respiratory immune defense and removal of airborne toxins.

💛 5. Abdominal Lymph Nodes

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici abdominales

Subdivisions:
• Pre-aortic nodes – along the celiac, superior, and inferior mesenteric arteries.
• Para-aortic (lumbar) nodes – alongside the abdominal aorta.
• Mesenteric nodes – embedded in the mesentery of the small intestine.

Function:
• Filter lymph from digestive organs: stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and spleen.
• Vital for nutrient absorption, fat transport (via lacteals), and gut-immune balance.

💧 6. Pelvic Lymph Nodes

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici pelvici

Subdivisions:
• External iliac nodes – along the external iliac artery.
• Internal iliac nodes (hypogastric) – deep within the pelvic cavity.
• Sacral nodes – near the sacrum.

Function:
• Drain lymph from the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, prostate, re**um).
• Important in lower abdominal detoxification and reproductive health.

🌿 7. Inguinal Lymph Nodes (Groin Region)

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici inguinales

Subdivisions:
• Superficial inguinal nodes – just under the skin in the groin crease.
• Deep inguinal nodes – along the femoral vein.

Function:
• Drain lymph from the lower limbs, external ge****ls, buttocks, and lower abdominal wall.
• Key focus for lymphatic drainage in cases of leg swelling or pelvic congestion.

💠 8. Popliteal Lymph Nodes (Behind the Knees)

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici poplitei

Function:
• Drain lymph from the lower leg, ankle, and foot before it ascends toward the groin.
• Often congested in individuals with chronic edema, varicose veins, or prolonged standing.

🌸 9. Cubital (Elbow) Lymph Nodes

Medical term: Nodi lymphatici cubitales

Function:
• Drain lymph from the forearm and hand.
• Often overlooked, yet essential in upper-limb lymphatic massage and post-injury care.

💚 10. Occipital, Mastoid & Parotid Nodes (Head & Scalp)

Medical terms:
• Nodi lymphatici occipitales – back of the skull
• Nodi lymphatici mastoidei – behind the ears
• Nodi lymphatici parotidei – in front of the ears and near the parotid gland

Function:
• Drain the scalp, ears, and outer face.
• Commonly enlarged during scalp infections, ear inflammation, or sinus issues.

🌍 11. Intestinal Lacteals

Medical term: Vasa lactea

Function:
• Specialized lymphatic capillaries within the intestinal villi that absorb dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
• Transport these nutrients via the cisterna chyli to the thoracic duct, connecting gut and immune health.

🩷 12. The Thoracic Duct & Right Lymphatic Duct

Thoracic duct (Ductus thoracicus):
• Largest lymphatic vessel.
• Drains lymph from the left head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and both legs into the left subclavian vein.

Right lymphatic duct (Ductus lymphaticus dexter):
• Drains lymph from the right head, neck, chest, and arm into the right subclavian vein.

Together, they return purified lymph to the bloodstream, completing the detoxification loop.

🧠 Clinical Insight
• Swollen nodes = immune activation (infection, inflammation, or detox).
• Hard or immovable nodes may require medical investigation.
• Lymphatic drainage therapy helps stimulate stagnant nodes, enhance detox pathways, and reduce systemic inflammation.

📘 References
• Standring S. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 42nd Ed.
• Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th Ed.
• Leduc O, Leduc A. Lymphology and Lymph Drainage, Elsevier.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

11/26/2025

… Do what you gotta do. Run. Don’t look back. We believe in you.

11/26/2025

Honestly the nudity is the least of my concerns. I’m out of breath just reading this.

11/16/2025

🩵🦋

11/16/2025

Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that can affect the skin, organs, and joint mobility. Another connective tissue disorder, Lipedema, breaks the lymphatic system and cause the legs and sometimes the arms to develop and grow fibrotic fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. In the late stages that fibrotic fat can be felt virtually everywhere and differs patient to patient. hEDS is often seen in Lipedema patients.

11/08/2025

Lipedema is NOT the same as Lymphedema, but if you’re experiencing swelling, the treatment is the same!

Sidenote: anyone using this kind of pump that is over a plus size 24 or over a 3x? I didn’t think these kind of pumps were available in my size…

11/07/2025

🪢 Apron Belly & Your Lymphatic System 🌊

By Bianca Botha, CLT | RLD | MLDT

🍃 What is an “Apron Belly”?

An apron belly (also called a panniculus or abdominal overhang) develops when excess fat and skin fold over the lower abdomen. It often appears after pregnancy, menopause, significant weight changes, or genetic fat distribution patterns. While it’s usually discussed in terms of appearance or discomfort, apron belly also has a direct impact on your lymphatic system.

🌊 How Apron Belly Affects the Lymphatic System

1. Compression of Lymphatic Vessels
• The weight of the overhanging tissue presses on superficial lymphatic vessels in the inguinal region (groin) and lower abdomen.
• This slows drainage from the legs, pelvic organs, and lower trunk, often leading to swelling in thighs, knees, and feet.

2. Impaired Venous Return
• Lymph and venous blood flow work together. A panniculus compresses abdominal and iliac veins, reducing fluid clearance and worsening heaviness in the lower limbs.

3. Moisture & Inflammation
• Skin folds create warm, moist environments. This encourages chronic low-grade inflammation and infections (intertrigo), which increase lymphatic burden.

4. Obstructed Core Pumping
• Normal lymph flow depends on diaphragm movement and abdominal pressure changes. Extra abdominal weight + apron fold restrict diaphragmatic breathing, weakening this natural “lymph pump.”

5. Cascading Effect
• When drainage slows in the abdomen, fluid backs up in the lower body. This leads to heaviness, cellulitis risk, delayed healing, and restricted mobility.

🧬 Clinical Observations
• Patients with apron belly often show sluggish inguinal node response and leg/ankle edema.
• Chronic congestion may progress to secondary lymphedema.
• In those with lipedema (a genetic, hormonal adipose/connective tissue disorder), apron belly worsens fluid overload. Over time, this may lead to lipo-lymphoedema — the overlap of lipedema and secondary lymphedema.
• Important distinction: lipedema is not caused by lymphedema. Lipedema is hereditary and hormonally triggered (puberty, pregnancy, menopause), but untreated congestion can accelerate progression into lipo-lymphoedema.
• In obesity, fat tissue itself is inflamed, producing cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), further overloading the lymphatics and impairing mitochondrial energy.

🌱 Supporting Lymphatic Flow with Apron Belly
1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): Clears congested abdominal and inguinal nodes.
2. Abdominal Breathing & Core Work: Diaphragmatic breathing and gentle exercises pump lymph.
3. Garment Support: Abdominal binders or supportive compression reduce mechanical drag.
4. Skin Care: Keeping folds dry and clean lowers infection risk → reduces inflammatory load.
5. Movement Therapy: Walking, aquatic exercise, and pelvic tilts aid lymph return from legs.
6. Weight Management & Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Decreases cytokine burden on the lymphatics.

✨ Takeaway

An apron belly is more than skin deep — it directly blocks lymphatic highways in your abdomen, slowing detox and drainage. While apron belly itself does not cause lipedema, it can worsen congestion, trigger secondary lymphedema, and accelerate progression toward lipo-lymphoedema in those genetically predisposed.

By supporting lymph flow through therapy, movement, and lifestyle care, you can ease swelling, reduce pain, improve comfort, and protect long-term lymphatic health.

📌 This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

10/23/2025