Lymphatic System Overview and Functions

A network of vessels that circulates lymph, a fluid similar to plasma, throughout the body.

1. Draining excess tissue fluid (lymph).
2. Absorbing fats from the intestines.
3. Immune defense (fighting infections).
4. Maintaining fluid balance in the circulatory system.

The fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, collecting excess interstitial fluid from tissues.

The lymph is milky white due to absorbed fat droplets. It originates from the intestine and is also known as "chyle".

Tiny, blind-ended vessels that are more permeable than blood capillaries. They collect excess tissue fluid and form the beginning of the lymphatic system.

Lymph capillaries in the intestinal villi, responsible for absorbing fats from digested food.

Lymph capillaries join together to form larger vessels. These vessels are thin-walled, similar to veins, but have valves preventing backflow of lymph.

Lymph nodes are oval-shaped structures that filter lymph and house immune cells. They are found throughout the body and are clustered in certain areas.

Lymph nodes are the only lymphoid organ that has both afferent (incoming) and efferent (outgoing) lymph vessels. This allows lymph to flow through them for filtration and immune activation.

Lymph trunks are large vessels that collect lymph from multiple lymph nodes. There are 6 main lymph trunks in the body.

Collecting ducts are the largest lymphatic vessels in the body, receiving lymph from trunks. There are two main collecting ducts: the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.

The thoracic duct is the largest lymphatic vessel, collecting lymph from almost the entire body. It empties into the left subclavian vein.

The right lymphatic duct is smaller than the thoracic duct and drains lymph from the right side of the head and neck, right upper limb, and right side of the chest. It empties into the right subclavian vein.

Hydrostatic pressure, valves, smooth muscle contractions, surrounding muscle contractions, arterial pulsations, negative intrathoracic pressure, and negative pressure in the brachiocephalic veins.

Unencapsulated lymphatic tissue found throughout the body, especially in the mucous membranes.

A specific type of lymphatic tissue that is enclosed in a capsule. They play a crucial role in the immune system.

Bone marrow and the thymus gland are primary lymphoid organs, responsible for the production and development of immune cells.

Lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs responsible for activating immune responses and filtering foreign substances.

Lymph is filtered through them, removing harmful substances and activating immune cells.

A capsule-enclosed lymphatic tissue that filters blood and stores white blood cells. It is the largest lymphoid organ in the body.

A lymphoid organ located in the chest, which is important for the development and maturation of T lymphocytes, a type of immune cell.

Circulating lymphocytes and plasma cells - cells that produce antibodies.

The small vessels that carry lymph from the lymph capillaries to the lymph nodes. They have valves preventing backflow.

They're the beginning of the lymphatic system, forming a network of tiny vessels that collect excess fluid.

They collect lymph from various parts of the body, directing it towards the collecting ducts for final drainage.

Filtering lymph, removing foreign particles and activating immune cells. They also play a role in immune surveillance.