The Lymphatic System

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Recommended: Introduction to lymphatic system

Lymphatic System Overview

A well-functioning lymphatic system is essential to maintaining good health. The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and organs that can be likened to a drainage system in the body.

Lymph Drainage Function

The lymphatic system’s main task is transporting lymph consisting of…. Lymph helps cleanse the body of waste, toxins, and other foreign particles, such as infectious microorganisms. Lymph is formed from interstitial fluid in bodily tissues. The lymphatic system is a subsystem of the circulatory system (define all the components of the circulatory system?), however, unlike the blood, the lymph only flows in one direction (Zimmerman, 2013). The lymphatic vessels have a starting point in the tissues as lymphatic capillaries that permeate almost every tissue in the body. Lymph is collected by the lymphatic capillaries and then travels towards the neck through the lymphatic vessels. The lymph is prevented from flowing backwards through the vessels by valves and muscular contractions. Along its journey, the lymph is filtered for viral and bacterial pathogens and cancerous cells by lymph nodes, small bean-shaped masses made of lymph tissue. The lymph is drained into larger vessels that join to form lymphatic trunks connected to the veins at the base of the neck. The lymph is then drained into the right and left subclavian veins that return the filtered lymph to the venous bloodstream (“Lymphatic System,” 2013).

Lymph Functionality in Immune Response

In addition to serving as a drainage system, the lymphatic system, along with the lymphoid tissues and organs, play a vital role in the body’s immune system to create an immune response. The body ...

... middle of paper ...

... Retrieved December 9, 2013, from

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from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/352770/lymphatic-system

Stoppler, MD, M. C. (2007, January 31). Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Differences

and Similarities on MedicineNet.com. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79261

Turley, Susan M. (2014). Medical language (third ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

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Zimmerman, K. A. (2013, February 8). Lymphatic System: Facts, Functions & Diseases

LiveScience. Retrieved November 16, 2013, from

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