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General features of Lymphatic system

Your lymphatic system is a group of organs, vessels and tissues that protect you from infection and keep a healthy balance of fluids throughout your body. Read the article to know more about lymphatic system .
authorImageDr. Nivedita17 May, 2024
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General features of Lymphatic system

What is lymph

As we know that the blood itself cannot reach all the tissues and cell of the body so the some fluid from capillaries gets leaked and reaches up to the cells. This tissue fluid collects the metabolic waste products and any harmful infectious agent in the tissues and returns back in the same way. Now extra fluid left is collected by lymphatic system and the fluid is known as the lymph Lymphatic system consists of vessels known as lymphatics, lymph nodes and ducts. Lymphatics passes almost through all the body tissues. It allows the passage of lymph through the body. It collects the extra fluid present in the tissues. Lymphatic system plays a key role in immune system of the body.

What are the Lymphoid organs.

Besides the vessels and nodes there are certain organs known as Lymphoid organs. Lymphatic organs are of two types namely primary and secondary lymphoid organs . Primary lymphoid organs They are organs where lymphocytes are produced like bone marrow . Secondary lymphoid organs They are the organs where development maturation of lymphocytes takes place like spleen, thymus and nodes.

So what are the functions ?

As we know that the blood itself cannot reach upto tissues so lymph is the main fluid which carries out all the essential functions of tissues. Primary function of lymphatic system is to balance and maintain the fluid volume in the interstitium by carrying extra fluid or protein present in the interstitium As described above that Lymphoid organs, (which produces lymphocytes and development of lymphocytes also takes place there) the part of lymphatic system so lymphatic system is directly involved in immune functions of the body. Lipids and fats are not absorbed directly into the blood stream. Before reaching the blood they gets absorbed into the lymph from the gastrointestinal tract and then reaches the blood. So lymphatic system is also involved in the absorption of fatty substances. Lacteals present in the intestine represent the best example of this function. Lymph nodes receives lymph via different afferent vessels are capable of inducing an immune reaction in response to any antigen.

How does lymphatic system works ?

An adequate amount (almost 20 liters) of plasma is filtered through capillaries and reaches up to tissues. Some amount is left in the tissues while most of it returns back to the blood. Now at this point role of lymphatic system comes. This extra amount of fluid left in the tissues is drained by lymphatic system.

Lymphatic system FAQs

What is the difference between primary and secondary lymphoid organs?

In primary lymphoid organs lymphocytes are produced such as bone marrow while secondary lymphoid organs provide the environment for the maturation and development of lymphocytes.

How does lymphatic system provides immunity?

Lymphoid organs produce B and T lymphocytes. These cells provide immunity by different mechanisms like B cells produce antibodies that fights with the infectious agents. T cells also provide immunity by differentiating into different types like T helper and natural killer cells.

What is lymphadenopathy and in what conditions it occurs ?

In certain conditions swelling of lymph nodes takes place to filter out the abnormal cells. This condition is known as lymphadenopathy. It occurs in certain conditions such as infections and malignancy.

What are the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue ?

These are the lymphoid tissue associated with mucosa and they initiate an immune reaction in response to antigens encountered along the mucosa surface.
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