lymphatic system

• the lymphatic system provides a series of drainage channels for excess tissue fluid that cannot be drained by the blood capillaries.
• as blood passes through the capillary network into the tissues, sometimes plasma leaks into spaces between the cells. this is tissue fluid
• what is the function of tissue fluid?

  it is essential to bathe the cells so that nutrients can dissolve in the fluid and diffuse in or out of the cell
• what are the functions of the lymphatic system?

  • returns excess lymph fluid back to the CS
  • filters bacteria and other foreign substances out of the fluid
  • produces lymphocytes
  • transports digested food
• what are the components of the lymphatic system?

  • lymphatic capillaries
  • lymphatic vessels
  • lymphatic tissues
  • lymphatic ducts
• what are the different lymphatic tissues?

  • lymph nodes
  • spleen
  • tonsils
  • thymus
• what are the lymphatic capillaries?

  very fine channels that collect surplus fluid from around the cells of the body tissues
• lymphatic capillaries are found in the small intestine, within the villi. they absorb digested fat particles which are too big to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
• the lymphatic vessels transport lymphatic fluid. they have thin walls and one way valves
• what is the function of the lymph nodes?

  lymph gets filtered here, to remove bacteria. lymphocytes are produced here.
• The lymph enters through afferent vessels and exists through efferent vessels. The lymph fluid enters the nodes through afferent vessels from all sides. The lymph fluid leaves through the efferent vessels which are clustered together at one point.
• Once filtered by the node, the lymph fluid enters one of the two large lymphatic ducts. The ducts empty into either the right jugular vein or the anterior vena cava, and empty the lymph back into the circulatory system.