Lymphatic System

Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system works with the immune system to fight attacking pathogens. The entire lymphatic system shares many organs and cell types with the immune system.

It consist of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymph fluids.

Lymph vessels; are similar to veins that carry blood except that they carry a clear fluid instead of blood.

This lymph fluid contains waste products from cell activity, proteins, fats and many white blood cells, especially lymphocytes. These watchful and helpful lymphocytes continually travel through lymph tissue, lymph fluid and blood.

At certain points in the body, the lymph vessels have check points called lymph nodes. These nodes filter lymph fluid and remove foreign material.

White blood cells also gather in the lymph nodes, the way they do on the spleen.

Lymph nodes are good places for white blood cells to monitor and destroy germs floating in the lymph fluid.

Everyone has lymph nodes in the sides of the neck, behind the ears, in the back of the head, under the chin and jaw and in the groins and armpits.

When your body is healthy, your lymph nodes are soft and difficult to feel. But when body is actively fighting an infection, your lymph nods can become swollen , tender and more solid. When your infection is over, your lymph nodes return to normal size and feel soft again.
Lymphatic System