WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY LYMPH? WHAT IS ITS FUNCTION AND IMPORTANCE? WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
Answers
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.
The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the circulatory system's veins and capillaries. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
Lymph nodes are small, kidney-shaped organs of the lymphatic system. There are several hundred lymph nodes found mostly throughout the thorax and abdomen of the body with the highest concentrations in the axillary (armpit) and inguinal (groin) regions.
Through the pores present in the walls of capillaries some amount of plasma, proteins and blood cells escape into intercellular spaces between the tissue to form the the tissue fluid or lymph.
Function :-
1. Lymph drains into lymphatic capillaries from the intercellular spaces,which join to form large lymph vessels that finally open into larger veins.
2. Lymph carries digested and absorbed fat from intestine and drains excess fluid from extra cellular space back into the blood.