Lymphatic System

Lymphatic System

• The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and body parts that collect fluids that leak out of cells and blood, comprising more than 60% of the body.
• The system sweeps up leaked fluid and returns it to the bloodstream, preventing fluid buildup in body tissues.

How It Works

• The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs.
• Lymph capillaries act as "little vacuum cleaners" to pick up leaked fluids and pass them along to lymph vessels.
• Lymph vessels travel towards the neck, dumping fluid into large veins to return it to the bloodstream.

Lymph Nodes

• Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of tissue that remove bacteria and bad cells from lymph fluid.
• They also produce white blood cells and antibodies to fight disease-causing cells.
• There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the body, found in clusters in the thighs, armpits, and neck.
• Swollen lymph nodes can indicate the body is fighting an infection.

Lymph Organs

Tonsils

• Tonsils are lymph organs that defend against bacteria and viruses entering through the nose or mouth.
• They are found on the sides of the mouth, towards the back.

Spleen

• The spleen is the largest lymph organ in the body, filtering blood to remove bacteria and harmful cells.
• It recycles broken down red blood cells into new cells and produces some white blood cells.

Thymus Gland

• The thymus gland is a lymph organ that helps develop the immune system in early life.
• It stores immature white blood cells that grow into infection fighters, but becomes less important after puberty.