7.1 2.3.2 lymph circulatory system

Lymph circulatory system

Comparison of lymph and blood system: http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/150/

Short videos on lymph: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002247.htm

YouTube video on lymph system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTXTDqvPnRk

Composition of the lymphatic system

• The lymphatic system is composed of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs.
• The organs associated with the lymphatic system are the spleen and thymus.
• The spleen is the boundary between the blood and the lymphatic system.
• Knots of lymphatic tissue in the spleen add lymphocytes to the blood.
• The spleen also acts as a filter for the blood, and helps to destroy worn out red-blood cells.
• In the event of damage to the spleen, it can be removed and its functions will be carried out by the liver, the bone marrow and the lymph nodes.
• Most of the disease-fighting function of the adult mammal is carried out by the lymph nodes which occur along the lymph ducts.
• Lymph nodes are small irregularly shaped masses through which lymph vessels flow.
• Clusters of nodes occur in the armpits, groin, and neck.
• Cells of the immune system line channels through the nodes and attack bacteria and viruses traveling in the lymph so they basically act as tiny filters.

So…

• Lymph vessels are located as a network throughout all tissues in the body.
• Lymph vessels assist the circulatory system and all the cells of the body by removing wastes, germs and excess water from the tissue fluid.  
• Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid in ONE direction only , from the bottom of the body up towards the heart.
• Valves prevent the lymph fluid from flowing backwards.
• Muscle contractions push the fluid upwards.

Functions of lymphatic system

The main functions of the lymphatic system are as follows:

• the main function of the lymphatic system is to collect and transport tissue fluids from the intercellular spaces in all the tissues of the body, back to the veins in the blood system;
• it plays an important role in returning plasma proteins to the bloodstream ;
• digested fats are absorbed and then transported from the villi in the small intestine to the bloodstream via the lacteals and lymph vessels.
• new lymphocytes are manufactured in the lymph nodes ;
• antibodies and anti (manufactures in the lymph nodes) assist the body to build up an effective immunity to infectious diseases ;
• lymph nodes play an important role in the defence mechanism of the body . They filter out micro-organisms (such as bacteria) and foreign substances such as toxins, etc.
• it transports large molecular compounds (such as enzymes and hormones) from their manufactured sites to the bloodstream.

Youtube videos on lymph (External Link)

Relationship between blood system and lymphatic system

Table of comparison between the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system