The lymphatic system is a network of lymph vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs that filters and maintains fluid from body tissues. This body system has three main functions: helping to defend the body against disease, absorption of lipids from the intestine and transport to the blood, and the transport of excess tissue fluid back into the bloodstream. Normal functioning of this vital system is sometimes reduced by many diseases and disorders that afflict the lymphatic network (Mader 760). ... Although the lymphatic system may be associated with the cardiovascular system, it is a one-way system rather than a circulatory system. This system begins with the lymph capillaries that lie near blood capillaries. ... ” Lymph flows one way from a capillary to larger lymphatic vessels. The larger lymphatic vessels merge and direct the lymph to either the thoracic duct or the right lymphatic duct (Mader 760).
“The thoracic duct is much larger than the right lymphatic duct. ... The right lymphatic duct serves the right arm, the right side of both the head and neck, and the right thoracic area.” Lymph then enters the cardiovascular system at the subclavian vein. ...
There are several organs of the lymphatic system. ... Other organs of the lymphatic system include the spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and lymph nodes; these organs are the sites of immune response (Piotrowski 1331). ... Lymph nodules are usually located in the loose connective tissue beneath wet epithelial membranes in places such as the digestive system, respiratory system, and urinary bladder. ... They are found at certain points along lymphatic vessels. ... "Lymph nodes may be removed in cancer operations because stray cancer cells are sometimes dispersed by the lymphatic system. ...
While the lymph nodes cleanse lymph, this lymphatic organ cleanses and stores blood. ... T lymphocytes then travel through the lymphatic vessels to the thymus, where they mature. ...
The tonsils are also organs of the lymphatic system. They are partially encapsulated lymphatic tissue positioned in a ring around the pharynx. ... However, because of the location, these organs are the first part of the lymphatic system to encounter pathogens that enter the body by way of the nose and mouth (Mader 761). ...
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, that is of fundamental importance in the immune and lymphatic systems. ...
There are many disorders and diseases involving the lymphatic system. The lymphomata are the group of the diseases which predominantly involve the lymphatic system. Although one of the main functions of the lymphatic system is to fight infection, pathogens in the lymph may create dangerous conditions in the lymphatic network. ... Lymphedema is the “abnormal accumulation of fluid in a body cavity or tissue, resulting from the failure of lymphatic system to perform its normal function of returning tissue fluid to the circulatory system. ... In lymphography, a contrast medium is injected, and the lymphatic vessels are viewed and examined by means of X rays (Piotrowski 1333). ... (Encyclopedia Britannica) Congenital lymphedema results from having so few lymphatic vessels that they can’t handle all the lymph. ...
These worms damage the lymphatic systems of their hosts, causing a type of edema.
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