Lymphatic system

It is a system of tiny tubes called lymph vessels and lymph nodes in the human body which transport lymph from the body tissues to the blood circulatory system .

The lymphatic system consists of the following parts: 

Lymph capillaries:

Lymph capillaries are tiny tubes present in the whole body.

• They are close ended and have bigger pores in their walls than blood capillaries.
• Since the ends of the capillaries are closed, the tissue fluid seeps into the capillary walls through the holes
• Due to their bigger size, larger molecules can enter the capillaries as well.

Larger lymph vessels:

• The lymph capillaries join to form lymph vessels.
• The vessels have lymph nodes at regular intervals.
• The lymph are connected to the larger veins of the circulatory system.

Lymph nodes:

• The lymph nodes contain a special type of cell called lymphocytes.
• Lymphocytes clean the lymph and protect the body from disease. They are a type of WBCs.
• They eat the germs and dead cells and make antibodies.

Lymph:

Lymph is a light yellow fluid somewhat similar in composition to blood plasma.

• It contains protein molecules and digested food , which comes from the tissue fluid between the cells.
• It also contains germs from cells and fragments of dead cells.
• It is a medium of circulation in the body but it flows only from the body tissues to the heart.
• It is called extracellular fluid.

Functions of the lymphatic system:

• Takes part in the nutrition process by circulating proteins from the tissue to the bloodstream.
• Protects the body by killing germs and making antibodies
• Helps in removing waste products like fragments of dead cells etc.