What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood. The lymphatic system helps protect our bodies from infections and diseases. It is part of the immune system as well as the circulatory system and is made up of a number of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue and it is a vascular network of tubules and ducts that collect filter and return lymph to blood circulation. Lymph is a clear liquid that comes from blood plasma that is based at the capillary beds it exits through the blood vessels. This fluid surrounds the cells. The lymph consists of water, proteins, salts, lipids, white blood cells and other substances which have to be returned to the blood.
The lymph vessels accumulate lymph fluid from the tissues of the body and then return it to the blood, this than helps maintain the body’s balance of fluid. The lymph nodes filter the lymph; these contain specific white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are formed within the bone marrow, spleen and thymus, also they help the body protect itself against infection.
Function of the lymphatic system:
The functions of the lymphatic system is to drain excess fluid that surrounds the tissues and organs and which then returns the fluid to the blood; this helps the volume of blood and the blood pressure to be maintained, it also prevents fluid around tissues building up excessively. The lymphatic system absorbs and returns lipids
William Li mentions the blood vessels in his talk. Human’s body is literally packed with them. The smallest blood vessels are called capillaries, it is the vessels of life and are feeding cancer cells, bringing oxygen and nutrients. Also, it can be the vessels of death. We have got nineteen million of them in our bodies. Blood vessels are adapt our bodies no matter where they grow in our bodies.
The immune system plays a vital role in helping the body to fight diseases, as well as pathogens, the disease-causing factors. It is mainly composed of the tonsils and adenoids, the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, the spleen, appendix, and bone marrow. The main purpose of the immune system is to assist the body in its struggle to maintain optimal health.
Red and white blood cells are the two types of blood cells in the human body. Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body which is transferred through the bloodstream. It moves oxygen into the body and then removes it. They are absorbed through its haemoglobin.
The functions of the renal system, which are performed by the kidneys, are to regulate and maintain the balance of electrolytes and the pH of the fluid that has been processed. It assists in the production of new red blood cells and it also involved in the maintenance of blood pressure.
Works in conjunction with the blood supply to carry waste products away from the area.
B. Given that lymph vessels carry under very low pressure, they require assistance in moving lymph, especially vessels below the level of the heart which must move lymph upwards against gravity. The 2 mechanisms which
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: THE NETWORK OF VESSELS THROUGH WHICH LYMPH DRAINS FROM THE TISSUES INTO THE BLOOD. – OXFORD ONLINE DICTIONARIES
It collects excess fluid and particulate matter. It deposits them in the blood stream through the
The circulatory and immune systems are two very closely related systems. The circulatory is composed out of blood vessels, the heart, and blood. The immune system is made up of white blood cells and various lymph nodes. Basically, most of the immune system is found inside the blood of the circulatory system. The circulatory system provides the body with blood. It gives the kidneys of the digestive system something to filter and picks up nutrients from the small intestines. It also picks up air from the lungs of the respiratory system and provides the brain of the nervous system with blood, along with the rests of the body. Protection from wounds in the integumentary system is also provided by the circulatory system which has platelets that aid in blood clotting and forming scabs. The immune system protects all the other systems from disease and helps them from being attacked by viruses and bacteria. It also aids the ears of the nervous system with some very protective earwax. The circulatory system provides us with life fluid while the immune system protects that fluid and the rest of our body.
The lymphatic system works in three ways. It helps to control the balance of the body’s fluids by draining and cleansing fluid that seeps from the circulatory system during normal cardiovascular circulation. As fluid leaves the circulatory system it enters the tissue cells and whilst the majority of it diffuses back into the vessels of the circulatory system, the remainder enters the open ends of the lymph vessels. The lymphatic system also works with the villi in the digestive system to help deliver fats and absorbed nutrients in the digested food we eat, back to the circulatory system. This fluid is not called
The organs that make up the lymphatic and immune system are the tonsils, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. White blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), plasma, and platelets (thrombocytes) make up the blood. Lymphocytes are leukocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight off diseases. Two types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. Lymphocytes recognize antigens, or foreign substances/matter, in the body. Lymphocytes are a classification of agranulocytes, or cells (-cytes) without (a-) granules (granul/o) in the cytoplasm. B cells are created from stem cells, which are located in the bone marrow. B cells respond to antigens by becoming plasma cells. These plasma cells then create antibodies. Memory B cells produce a stronger response with the next exposure to the antigen. B cells fight off infection and bacteria while T cells defend against viruses and cancer cells. A hormone created by the thymus gland called thymosin changes lymphocytes into T cells. The thymus gland is active when you are a child and slowly shrinks, as you get older. T cells bind to the antigens on the cells and directly attack them. T cells secrete lymphokines that increase T cell production and directly kill cells with antigens. There are three types of T cells: cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and memory T cells.
The lymphatic system are a complex network of specialised cells and organs that defend the body against infection. Lymphatic organs include the bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, appendix and clumps of tissue in the small bowel. A function of the lymphatic system is to nurture and mature the B and T-lymphocytes (white blood cells vital to immune function). Cancerous changes can take place
veins to the tissues of the body. These walls do not let out blood but
spleen is a place for immune function, and it kills defective or aged red blood
The purpose of this exercise is to learn about the lymphatic system and how it works and helps the human body. Why we need it and the components associated with the lymphatic system.