Hryn M. V., Stupak D. S., Bilash V. P., Svintsytska N. L., Tykhonova O. A., Tarasenko Ya. A., Hryn V. H.

EVOLUTION OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: FROM ANCIENT OBSERVATIONS TO MODERN INNOVATIONS

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Hryn M. V., Stupak D. S., Bilash V. P., Svintsytska N. L., Tykhonova O. A., Tarasenko Ya. A., Hryn V. H.

Heading:

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Type of article:

Scientific article

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The article analyzes the development of knowledge about the lymphatic system: from the first guesses of an t iquity to modern discoveries. Due to the complex structure and transparency of the vessels, this system has long remained poorly studied. The authors note that understanding of this system has developed over millennia, from the first guesses of ancient scientists to the discovery of the mammary vessels by Gaspare Aselli in the 17th century. The lymphatic system has long remained a "mystery" for medicine due to its invisibility and complexity. This material explores the evolution of views on it, tracing the path from ancient descriptions to the latest immunological studies. The article explains how technological progress has finally allowed us to study in detail a structure that was difficult to even visualize for centuries. It was the advent of microscopy that became the catalyst for a detailed study of the microstructure of lymphatic pathways, enabling science to reach the level of functional analysis. Today, the lymphat ic system is considered an important component of homeostasis. Its functions go far beyond simple tissue drainage. It plays a key role in lipid and nutrient transport, ensuring the circulation of immune cells and the formation of a protective response, maintaining fluid balance, and transporting hormones. Special attention is paid to the medical aspect: the study of lymphatic vessels is fundamental for understanding pathological processes. In particular, the study of the mechanisms of the spread of infections and metastasis of tumor cells opens up new horizons for the development of methods for early diagnosis and effective therapy. Thus, the lymphatic system appears not simply as an auxiliary network, but as a dynamic structure that integrates immune and metabolic processes, ensuring the vital activity of the whole organism.

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 1, 180, 28-39 pages, index UDC 611.42-06-07

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-1-180-28-39