Lymphatic System

• Lymphatic System - maintain the body's fluid balance, remove waste and foreign substances, and help defend against infection and disease.
• Lymphatic vessels

  • are thin-walled vessels that transport lymph
  • a clear fluid that contains white blood cells, throughout the body.
  • They are similar in structure to veins and have one-way valves that prevent backflow.
• Lymph nodes:

  • small, bean-shaped structures located throughout the body along lymphatic vessels.
  • They filter lymph, removing bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.
  • Lymphocytes are also found in lymph nodes and help identify and destroy foreign invaders.
• Spleen

  • It filters blood, removing old or damaged red blood cells, and also helps fight infections.
  • largest lymphatic organ and is located in the upper left part of the abdomen. • It filters blood, removing old or damaged red blood cells, and also helps fight infections.
• Thymus

  • a gland located in the chest that plays a key role in the development and maturation of T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps defend against infection.
• Bone marrow

  • spongy tissue found inside bones that produces blood cells, including lymphocytes