Organ: Lymphatic system

Introduction: Lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is the second circulatory system in the body, with the blood as the better known system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and circulates lymph around the body through lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. An important purpose of the lymphatic system is to remove parts of microbes or dead body cells that are broken down as part of other immune system attacks. Lymph nodes are better known when they swell in response to infection (see swollen lymph nodes).

Descriptions of Lymphatic system

Lymphatic system: The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells). Lymphatic vessels branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body.
Source: National Institute of Health

Lymphatic system: the interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body
Source: WordNet 2.1

Lymphatic system : system of organs and tissues that process and transport immune cells and lymph.
Source: CRISP

Article Excerpts about Lymphatic system

The lymphatic system (lymph, lymph nodes and lymph vessels) supports the circulatory system by draining excess fluids and proteins from tissues back into the bloodstream, thereby preventing tissue swelling. It also serves as a defense system for the body, filtering out organisms that cause disease, producing white blood cells, and generating antibodies.

The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system . It helps the body fight disease and infection. The lymphatic system includes a network of thin lymphatic vessels that branch, like blood vessels, into tissues throughout the body. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph , a colorless, watery fluid that contains infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes . Along this network of vessels are small organs called lymph nodes . Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarms, groin , neck, chest, and abdomen . Other parts of the lymphatic system are the spleen , thymus , tonsils , and bone marrow . Lymphatic tissue is also found in other parts of the body, including the stomach, intestines, and skin. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Hodgkin's Disease: NCI)

Summary Information: Lymphatic system

Lymphatic system: System distributing lymph fluid around the body.

Condition count: 9 ; see list below.

Organ subtypes: lymph, lymph nodes (9), sentinel lymph nodes

Related organs: lymph, lymph nodes (9), lymphatic vessels (2), spleen (3), tonsils (7), adenoids (2), bone marrow (9)

Organs: list of all organs

Diseases List for Lymphatic system:

The following list of medical conditions have 'Lymphatic system' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database:

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