You probably know about the body's extensive network of arteries and veins. Maybe less familiar is the distribution of another network of vessels that are similar to veins, but not as extensive. Instead of transporting blood, they carry a clear fluid called lymph (pronounced "limf") that is similar to plasma (the liquid part of blood). As nutrients seep from the blood into the tissues, the lymphatic system collects this fluid (which is now called lymph) along with any associated wastes and returns it to the blood. Lymph is a great place to fight microbes and it's filled with lymphocytes and other white blood cells. Before the lymph gets recycled into the bloodstream, lymphocytes work to identify any harmful microbes so they can be destroyed.
Definition: The lymphatic system is part of your immune system and the term includes all of the organs and cells which are part of the immune system. This includes the lymph nodes, lymphocytes (i.e. special disease-fighting white blood cells) and organs like the spleen and bone marrow which make and store lymphocytes. The lymphatic system is inter-connected by a fine network of tiny microscopic lymphatic vessels, which are present throughout your body like a net, through which lymphatic fluid circulates.
Definition: The lymphatic system is part of your immune system and the term includes all of the organs and cells which are part of the immune system. This includes the lymph nodes, lymphocytes (i.e. special disease-fighting white blood cells) and organs like the spleen and bone marrow which make and store lymphocytes. The lymphatic system is inter-connected by a fine network of tiny microscopic lymphatic vessels, which are present throughout your body like a net, through which lymphatic fluid circulates.
Pronunciation: lim-fat-ik system
Examples: The spleen had to be removed during surgery for ovarian cancer, but the rest of the lymphatic system was left intact.
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