consists of:

lymphatic capillaries

lymphatic vessels

lymphatic nodes

lymphatic ducts

Tonsils

Spleen

Thymus gland

Peyer’s patches (intestine)

Red bone marrow

1.     Return of lymph tissue excess to the blood.

2.     Absorption of fats and vitamins in lymph vessels

3.     Help defend the body against disease.

At capillaries some fluid leaks out into tissue spaces.

This fluid needs to be returned to maintain blood volume

Non returned fluid = OEDEMA

- Similar in size and structure to blood capillaries

- pick up the excess fluid from tissue spaces and return to blood

- lymph capillaries to collecting vessels to venous system -  one way system to heart

- Small debris, viruses, bacteria etc that can’t enter blood can enter Lymph - eg cancer cells carried this way

- Collect excess tissue fluid- walls are a  thin layer epithelium & have large pores

- Like veins have valves to prevent back flow

Right lymphatic duct

drains lymph from right arm & right side of head & thorax

Thoracic duct

drains lymph from rest of body

Both ducts empty into left & right subclavian vein.

Name the Major Lymphatic Vessels

A. Thoracic Duct

B. Left Subclavian Vein

C. Right Lymphatic Duct

D. Right Subclavian Vein

Lymph Nodes

A. Lymph

B. Filtering

The Tonsils

A. Pharyngeal Tonsil

B. Platelet

C. Palantine Tonsil

D. Lingual Tonsil

Small masses of lymphatic tissue surrounding the pharynx – Palatine.

It looks after digestive and respiratory tracts

Trap, remove bacteria and foreign substances

Red, swollen, sore = tonsilitis

Trap & remove bacterial entering via throat/respiratory tract

Lymphatic vessels leave tonsils and enter the cervical nodes