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Unit 5- p3 the lymphatic system
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- OCR
Unit 5- p3 the lymphatic system
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The lymphatic systemThe lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the veins and
capillaries of the circulatory system. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where lymph is
filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all a part of the lymphatic system. The
lymphatic system is located deep inside the body, such as around the heart and lungs, or closer to
the surface, such as the arm or groin. The lymphatic system has multiple functions; it is responsible
for the removal of interstitial fluid from tissues. It absorbs and transports fatty acids and fats as chyle
a fluid that transports fat from the digestive system. Lastly, the lymphatic system transports white
blood cells from the lymph nodes into the bones when damage is detected.
The main function is summary
The lymphatic system involves a network of vessels that pass through almost all the tissues in our
body to allow the movement of a fluid named lymph which contains white blood cells. The lymphatic
system has three functions. The removal of excess fluids from body tissues, this process is crucial
because water, proteins and other substances are continuously leaking out of blood capillaries into
surrounding body tissues. If the lymphatic system did not drain the body fluids, the fluid would build
in the body’s tissues causing them to swell. Secondly, the lymphatic system absorbs fatty acids and
transports fat to the circulatory system, lastly, it produces immune cells such as white blood cells to
fight infection.
Main components of the lymphatic system
The main components of the lymphatic system include neck lymph nodes, armpit lymph nodes,
lymph vessels, groin lymph nodes, the spleen, and the thymus.
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are glands that filter lymph, the fluid that travels around the lymphatic system. Lymph
nodes work as filters for harmful substances, and they contain immune cells that help fight
infections by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through lymph fluid. Throughout the
body there are hundreds of lymph nodes, filtering and attacking harmful substances that are carried
in by the lymph fluid.
They function in the lymphatic system as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria, and other causes of
illness before they can infect other parts of the body.
Lymph and lymph vessels
Lymphatic vessels are tiny vessels shaped very much like blood vessels. Apart of the lymphatic and
immune system, lymphatic vessels are what carry lymph. Lymph is clear fluid that comes from blood
plasma that exits blood vessels at capillary beds. The Lymphatic vessels main function in the immune
system is to transport and collect lymph around the body.
Lymph is produced by the body when plasma exits the capillary blood vessels and fills the small
spaces between and around bodies and cells before being collected through lymph vessels. What
lymph does is transport nutrients and oxygen for the cells and immune cells. While traveling through
tissues in the body, lymph picks up on bodies waste products and carbon dioxide. After collected by
the lymph vessels, lymph is taken through bigger lymph vessels to the lymph nodes where immune
cells rid it from the body before it is emptied and blended with the blood.
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