"The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system, and complementary to the circulatory system."
This topic covers the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, and their role in the immune system and the cardiovascular system.
Anatomy of the Lymphatic System: This topic covers the structure and location of lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, and lymphatic drainage.
Lymphatic Capillaries: This topic focuses on the function of lymphatic capillaries, including how they collect and transport interstitial fluid, as well as their role in nutrient absorption.
Lymphatic Fluid: This topic outlines the components of lymphatic fluid, including water, protein, and lymphocytes, and discusses the purpose of lymphatic fluid in the body.
Circulatory System: This topic covers the anatomical and physiological components of the circulatory system, including the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Pulmonary Circulation: This topic describes the pathway of blood from the heart to the lungs, and back to the heart again.
Systemic Circulation: This topic outlines the pathway of blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and back to the heart again.
Cardiac Cycle: This topic describes the process of the heart beating, including the phases of diastole and systole.
Blood Composition: This topic covers the different components of blood, including red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Role of Blood Vessels: This topic outlines the different types of blood vessels in the body, as well as their function in regulating blood flow and blood pressure.
Hemodynamics: This topic focuses on the study of blood flow and the factors that affect it, including pressure, resistance, and vessel diameter.
Lymphatic Flow: This topic describes the process of lymphatic flow, including how lymphatic vessels contract and push lymphatic fluid through the body.
Lymphatic Filtration: This topic discusses how lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes filter lymphatic fluid, removing waste products and pathogens.
Lymphoid Organs: This topic covers the various lymphoid organs in the body, including the spleen, thymus, and tonsils, and discusses their role in immune function.
Lymphocyte Types: This topic describes the different types of lymphocytes, including B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells, and outlines their specific functions in the immune system.
Immune Response: This topic outlines the process of the immune response, including the role of lymphocytes, antibodies, and cytokines in fighting off infections and diseases.
Lymphatic vessels: These are thin tubes that carry lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells that help fight infections, from the body tissues to the bloodstream.
Lymph nodes: These small, bean-shaped organs are found throughout the body and act as filters for lymph, trapping bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
Spleen: The spleen is an organ located in the upper left abdomen that helps filter and clean the blood. It also produces white blood cells and stores platelets.
Thymus: The thymus is a small gland located behind the breastbone that helps to produce and mature T cells, a type of white blood cell important in the immune system.
Tonsils: Tonsils are clusters of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the throat. They help to trap bacteria and other pathogens that enter the body through the mouth.
Peyer's patches: Peyer's patches are collections of lymphoid tissue found in the walls of the small intestine. They help to protect against bacterial infections and other pathogens that may enter the body through the digestive system.
Bone marrow: Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside bones that produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
"It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs, lymphoid tissues, and lymph."
"Lymph is a clear fluid carried by the lymphatic vessels back to the heart for re-circulation."
"Unlike the circulatory system that is a closed system, the lymphatic system is open."
"Roughly 17 litres of the filtered blood is reabsorbed directly into the blood vessels."
"The remaining three litres are left in the interstitial fluid."
"One of the main functions of the lymphatic system is to provide an accessory return route to the blood for the surplus three litres. The other main function is that of immune defense."
"Lymph is very similar to blood plasma, in that it contains waste products and cellular debris, together with bacteria and proteins."
"The cells of the lymph are mostly lymphocytes."
"The lymph nodes (where the highest lymphocyte concentration is found)."
"Lymphocytes are initially generated in the bone marrow."
"The lymphoid organs also contain other types of cells such as stromal cells for support."
"Fluid from circulating blood leaks into the tissues of the body by capillary action, carrying nutrients to the cells. The fluid bathes the tissues as interstitial fluid."
"The fluid collects waste products, bacteria, and damaged cells, and then drains as lymph into the lymphatic capillaries and lymphatic vessels."
"These vessels carry the lymph throughout the body, passing through numerous lymph nodes which filter out unwanted materials such as bacteria and damaged cells."
"The right lymphatic duct drains the right side of the region and the much larger left lymphatic duct, known as the thoracic duct, drains the left side of the body. The ducts empty into the subclavian veins to return to the blood circulation."
"Lymph is moved through the system by muscle contractions."
"In some vertebrates, a lymph heart is present that pumps the lymph to the veins."
"The lymphatic system was first described in the 17th century independently by Olaus Rudbeck and Thomas Bartholin."
"(The Latin word for lymph, lympha, refers to the deity of fresh water, 'Lympha')."