7 Lymphatic System

<p>From: <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1899053-overview">Lymphatic System Anatomy: Overview, Gross Anatomy, Other Considerations</a></p>

<p>The lymphatic system’s main functions are as follows:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<p>Restoration of excess interstitial fluid and proteins to the blood</p>

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</li>

<li>

<p>Absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive system and transport of these elements to the venous circulation</p>

</div>

</li>

<li>

<p>Defense against invading organisms<sup> [<a>1</a>, <a>2</a>, <a>3</a>, <a>4</a>]</sup></p>

</div>

</li>

</ul>

<p>The lymphatic system parallels the cardiovascular system (see the images below). The lymphatic system is unique, in that it is a 1-way system that returns lymph fluid via vessels to the cardiovascular system for eventual elimination of toxic byproducts by end organs, such as the <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1948775-overview">kidney</a>, <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1900159-overview">liver</a>, <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1949039-overview">colon</a>, <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1294744-overview">skin</a>, and <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1884995-overview">lungs</a>.</p>

<div class="inlineImage"><img src="/902e2a94-4a62-4cae-b8cc-84ec100edec4.jpg" /><span class="capt">Lymph nodes and vessels, anterior view.</span>

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<div class="inlineImage"><img src="/a215f011-86fb-4c7d-8140-bf5234112a91.jpg" /><span class="capt">Lymphatic system, anterior view.</span>

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<tbody>

<tr>

<td>

<p><strong>Organ</strong></p>

</td>

<td>

<p><strong>Function</strong></p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

<p>Lymph</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>Contains nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and fatty acids, as well as toxins and cellular waste products, that are transported to and from cellular tissues</p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

<p>Lymphatic vessels</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>Transport lymph from peripheral tissues to the veins of the cardiovascular system</p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

<p>Lymph nodes</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>Monitors the composition of lymph, the location of pathogen engulfment and eradication, the immunologic response, and the regulation site</p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

<p>Spleen</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>Monitors the composition of blood components, the location of pathogen engulfment and eradication, the immunologic response, and the regulation site</p>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

<p>Thymus</p>

</td>

<td>

<p>Serves as the site of T-lymphocyte maturation, development, and control</p>

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

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