The Lymphatic System As blood flows through your cardiovascular system, fluid leaks out of the capillaries and mixes with the fluid that bathes your cells. To deal with this, your body’s lymphatic system collects the excess fluid and returns it to your blood In addition, the lymphatic system helps your body fight pathogens

The fluid collected by the lymphatic system is transported through vessels. The fluid collected by the lymphatic system is transported through vessels. The smallest vessels of the lymphatic system are lymph capillaries The smallest vessels of the lymphatic system are lymph capillaries Lymph capillaries absorb fluid and any particles too large to enter the blood capillaries. Lymph capillaries absorb fluid and any particles too large to enter the blood capillaries. The fluid and particles absorbed into lymph capillaries are called lymph The fluid and particles absorbed into lymph capillaries are called lymph

Lymph capillaries along the spinal column Lymph capillaries along the spinal column

Lymph is not pushed by a pump. Instead, the squeezing of skeletal muscles provides the force to move lymph through vessels, and valves help prevent backflow Lymph is not pushed by a pump. Instead, the squeezing of skeletal muscles provides the force to move lymph through vessels, and valves help prevent backflow Lymph travels through your lymphatic system and then drains into large neck veins of the cardiovascular system. Lymph travels through your lymphatic system and then drains into large neck veins of the cardiovascular system.

Lymph Nodes are small bean- shaped organs where particles, such as pathogens or dead cells, are removed from the lymph Lymph Nodes are small bean- shaped organs where particles, such as pathogens or dead cells, are removed from the lymph Lymph nodes contain many white blood cells. These WBC’s engulf or attach to pathogens and mark them for destruction Lymph nodes contain many white blood cells. These WBC’s engulf or attach to pathogens and mark them for destruction When the body becomes infected with bacteria or viruses, the WBC’s multiply and the nodes sometimes become swollen and painful. When the body becomes infected with bacteria or viruses, the WBC’s multiply and the nodes sometimes become swollen and painful.

Thymus The thymus, which is located just above your heart, releases WBC’s. The thymus, which is located just above your heart, releases WBC’s. The WBC’s travel to other areas of the lymphatic system. The WBC’s travel to other areas of the lymphatic system.

Spleen The largest organ is your spleen, which is located in the upper left side of your abdomen. The largest organ is your spleen, which is located in the upper left side of your abdomen. The spleen filters blood and releases WBC’s The spleen filters blood and releases WBC’s When red blood cells are squeezed through the spleen’s capillaries, the older and more fragile cells rupture. For this reason, the spleen can be thought of as the red-blood– cell recycling center. When red blood cells are squeezed through the spleen’s capillaries, the older and more fragile cells rupture. For this reason, the spleen can be thought of as the red-blood– cell recycling center.

Tonsils Tonsils are made up of groups of lymphatic tissue located at the back of your nasal cavity, on the inside of your throat, and at the back of your tongue. Tonsils are made up of groups of lymphatic tissue located at the back of your nasal cavity, on the inside of your throat, and at the back of your tongue. WBC’s in the tonsils defend the body against infection WBC’s in the tonsils defend the body against infection Tonsils sometimes become badly infected and must be removed. Tonsils sometimes become badly infected and must be removed.

Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue that are similar to the lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck, groin, and armpits.Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue that are similar to the lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck, groin, and armpits. Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat.Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat. Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.

What is tonsillitis? Bacteria (bad germs) are tiny living things that can cause sickness and infection. Too many bad germs on your tonsils can make you sick. This is what your doctor calls tonsillitis (ton-sil-lie-tis), or an infection in one or both of your tonsils. Do you think you have tonsillitis? A symptom is a signal that something is wrong with your body. Talk with Mom and Dad if you see or feel:What is tonsillitis? Bacteria (bad germs) are tiny living things that can cause sickness and infection. Too many bad germs on your tonsils can make you sick. This is what your doctor calls tonsillitis (ton-sil-lie-tis), or an infection in one or both of your tonsils. Do you think you have tonsillitis? A symptom is a signal that something is wrong with your body. Talk with Mom and Dad if you see or feel: Bright red tonsilsBright red tonsils Yellow goo covering your tonsilsYellow goo covering your tonsils A sore throatA sore throat Pain when you swallowPain when you swallow Pain or swelling in your neckPain or swelling in your neck A hot foreheadA hot forehead Stinky breath even after you’veStinky breath even after you’ve brushed your teeth brushed your teeth

During a 24-hour period, approximately 20 liters [5-1/4 gallons] of serumlike fluid passes from the bloodstream to the tissues in the human body. This fluid bathes the cells, provides oxygen and nutrients, and carries away metabolic byproducts (carbon dioxide, etc.) and toxins from the cells. Approximately 85 percent of this watery fluid returns to the blood stream. The other 15 percent is conveyed by the lymphatic system to the heart. Every 24 hours, the lymphatic system conveys approximately 284 centiliters [3/4 gallon] of this fluid to the heart. That's an average of approximately one-half cup or 12 centiliters [4 fluid ounces] per hour. During a 24-hour period, approximately 20 liters [5-1/4 gallons] of serumlike fluid passes from the bloodstream to the tissues in the human body. This fluid bathes the cells, provides oxygen and nutrients, and carries away metabolic byproducts (carbon dioxide, etc.) and toxins from the cells. Approximately 85 percent of this watery fluid returns to the blood stream. The other 15 percent is conveyed by the lymphatic system to the heart. Every 24 hours, the lymphatic system conveys approximately 284 centiliters [3/4 gallon] of this fluid to the heart. That's an average of approximately one-half cup or 12 centiliters [4 fluid ounces] per hour.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...DID YOU KNOW THAT... Your body contains about 50% more lymphatic fluid than blood.Your body contains about 50% more lymphatic fluid than blood. Your lymphatic system contains over 600 collection sites called lymph nodes.Your lymphatic system contains over 600 collection sites called lymph nodes. These nodes are formed at the junction sites of the lymph vessel network.These nodes are formed at the junction sites of the lymph vessel network. Your lymphatic system is responsible for supplying plasm-rich protein to your blood as well as carrying away toxins and other debris.Your lymphatic system is responsible for supplying plasm-rich protein to your blood as well as carrying away toxins and other debris. Your lymphatic system is your primary defense against bacteria, viruses and fungus.Your lymphatic system is your primary defense against bacteria, viruses and fungus. Most chronic (disease) problems occur at the junction of lymph vessels called lymph nodes.Most chronic (disease) problems occur at the junction of lymph vessels called lymph nodes.