![]() ![]() The most important sites of this lymphoid tissue are in the throat (called the tonsils), in the intestine area (called Peyer’s patches) and in the appendix. This lymphatic tissue plays a very important role in the defence of our body. ![]() It’s needed there because those systems are exposed to the external environment. Much of our digestive and respiratory system is lined with lymphatic tissue. These cells are important for cell mediated response to an immune challenge, such as may occur when we have an infection. It produces cells called T-lymphocytes which circulate around the body. It filters and monitors our blood content. The thymus is inside the ribcage, just behind the breastbone. It can also help in increasing blood volume quickly if a person loses a lot of blood. It also produces and stores many cells, including a range of white blood cells, all of which are important for our body’s defence.Īs well as removing microbes, the spleen also destroys old or damaged red blood cells. It contains a range of cells, including macrophages – the body’s garbage trucks. The spleen does many things as it filters and monitors our blood. It is the largest of our lymphatic organs. The spleen is located in the abdominal (tummy) area on the left side, just under the diaphragm. Lymph from the right arm and face and part of the right chest empties into the blood at the right shoulder area. Most of it continues on to where the lymphatic system from most of our body (the left arm, tummy, chest, and legs) empties out at the left shoulder area. The fluid that arrives in the lymph nodes is checked and filtered. Lymph vessels take the lymph back to the lymph nodes (there are about 700 of these in total), which are found in our arm pit and groin as well as many other areas of the body such as the mouth, throat and intestines. These larger lymphatic vessels also have valves that stop the lymph flowing back the wrong way. The larger lymphatic vessels have muscles in their walls which helps them gently and slowly pulsate. The smaller lymphatic vessels, which take up the fluids, are called lymph capillaries. Generally, more active areas have more of them. The lymphatic vessels are found everywhere in our body. If it lasts longer (more than about three months) it is called lymphoedema. If the swelling only lasts for a short period it is called oedema. When the lymphatic system does not drain fluids from the tissues properly, the tissues swell, appearing puffy and uncomfortable. We need that to push nutrients (food the cells need), fluids and some cells into the body’s tissues to supply those tissues with food, oxygen and defence.Īll of the fluids and its contents that leak out into the tissues (as well as waste products formed in the tissues, and bacteria that enter them through our skin) are removed from them by the lymphatic system. The blood in our blood vessels is under constant pressure. These can rapidly multiply and release antibodies in response to bacteria, viruses, and a range of other stimuli from dead or dying cells and abnormally behaving cells such as cancer cells. The lymph nodes and other lymphatic structures like the spleen and thymus hold special white blood cells called lymphocytes. absorbing some of the fats in our diet from the intestine.dealing with cell products that otherwise would result in disease or disorders.The main roles of the lymphatic system include: It drains fluid (called lymph) that has leaked from the blood vessels into the tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream via the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. When it’s not functioning well the lymphatic system may have a role in obesity, Crohn’s disease and other disorders.When this swelling lasts more than about three months it is called lymphoedema. When the lymphatic system is not formed well or has been damaged by surgery, radiotherapy or tissue damage, a swelling of a part of the body may occur (most commonly the legs or arms).The lymphatic system plays an important role in the absorption of fats from the intestine.The spleen and thymus are lymphatic organs that monitor the blood and detect and respond to pathogens and malignant cells.The lymph nodes monitor the lymph flowing into them and produce cells and antibodies which protect our body from infection and disease.The lymphatic system is important for the optimal functioning of our general and specific immune responses.It maintains fluid levels in our body tissues by removing all fluids that leak out of our blood vessels.The lymphatic system is our body’s ‘sewerage system’.
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