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 that contains white blood cells, which fight off infections, throughout your body. There are three major components of the lympphatic system that include:
The lymphatic vessels are structures that abdorb fluid that diffuses from blood vessel cappilaries into surrounding tissues. This fluid is directed toward lymph nodes to be filtered and ultimately re-enters blood circulation through veins located near the heart. The smallest lymphatic vessels are called the lymph capillaries. Lymphatic vessels transport lymphs to lymph nodes. These lymph nodes acts as a filter for cellular waste, dead cells, and cancerous cells. Lymph nodes also house immune cells called lymphocytes, which are necessary for the development of humoral immunity (defense prior to cell infection) and cell-mediated immunity (defense after cell infection). The thymus gland is the MAIN organ of the lymphatic system. The primary function of the thymus gland is to promote the development of specific cells of the immune sytem called T-lymphocytes or T-cells. These cells leave the thymus, when they've matured, and are transported to the lymphnodes and spleen via blood vessels. T-cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, which is an immmune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infections. The spleen is the LARGEST organ of the lymphatic system, and it's primary function is to filter the blood of damaged cells, cellular debris, and pathogens. The splee houses and aids in the maturation of lymphocytes, like the thymus. Tonsils are arrays of lymphatic tissue located in the upper throat region, where it houses lymphocytes and other white blood cells called macrophages. These immune cells protect the digestive tract and lungs fom disease-causing agents that enter the mouth or nose. Bone marrow is the soft, flexible tissue found inside bone, and it's responsible for theproduction of all blood cells, red, white and platelets.
Here are all of the main organ systems of the human body and some info about them: