Lymphatic System
Kayla Burkette
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in our body. It is critical to our body's ability to detoxify, nourish and regenerate tissue, filter out metabolic waste and inorganic material, and maintain a healthy immune system. The system is a vascular network of tubules and ducts that collect, filter, and return lymph to blood circulation. Lymph is a clear fluid that comes from blood plasma, which exits blood vessels at capillary beds. This fluid becomes the interstitial fluid that surrounds cells. Lymph contains water, proteins, salts, lipids, white blood cells, and other substances that must be returned to the blood. The major components of the lymphatic system include lymph, lymphatic vessels, and lymphatic organs that contain lymphoid tissues.
Lymphatic vessels are structures that absorb fluid that diffuses from blood vessel capillaries into surrounding tissues. Lymphatic vessels transport lymph to lymph nodes. These structures filter lymph of pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Lymph nodes also filter cellular waste, dead cells, and cancerous cells.
The thymus gland is the main organ of the lymphatic system. Its primary function is to promote the development of specific cells of the immune system called T-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes are responsible for cell mediated immunity, which is an immune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection. In addition to immune function, the thymus also produces hormones that promote growth and maturation. The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system. Its primary function is to filter blood of damaged cells, cellular debris, and pathogens. Like the thymus, the spleen houses and aids in the maturation of lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes destroy pathogens and dead cells in the blood. Lymphatic tissue can also be found in other areas of the body, such as the skin, stomach, and small intestines. Lymphatic system structures extend
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in our body. It is critical to our body's ability to detoxify, nourish and regenerate tissue, filter out metabolic waste and inorganic material, and maintain a healthy immune system. The system is a vascular network of tubules and ducts that collect, filter, and return lymph to blood circulation. Lymph is a clear fluid that comes from blood plasma, which exits blood vessels at capillary beds. This fluid becomes the interstitial fluid that surrounds cells. Lymph contains water, proteins, salts, lipids, white blood cells, and other substances that must be returned to the blood. The major components of the lymphatic system include lymph, lymphatic vessels, and lymphatic organs that contain lymphoid tissues.
Lymphatic vessels are structures that absorb fluid that diffuses from blood vessel capillaries into surrounding tissues. Lymphatic vessels transport lymph to lymph nodes. These structures filter lymph of pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Lymph nodes also filter cellular waste, dead cells, and cancerous cells.
The thymus gland is the main organ of the lymphatic system. Its primary function is to promote the development of specific cells of the immune system called T-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes are responsible for cell mediated immunity, which is an immune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection. In addition to immune function, the thymus also produces hormones that promote growth and maturation. The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system. Its primary function is to filter blood of damaged cells, cellular debris, and pathogens. Like the thymus, the spleen houses and aids in the maturation of lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes destroy pathogens and dead cells in the blood. Lymphatic tissue can also be found in other areas of the body, such as the skin, stomach, and small intestines. Lymphatic system structures extend