Anatomy Lymphatic System

1.) What is the function of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is composed of a network of vessels that collects excess fluid and plasma proteins that leaks out of capillaries and into the interstitial space. This system, has three main functions: draining excess interstitial fluid, transportation of dietary lipids, and the immune system. As blood moves through the veins and arteries, three liters per days of excess filtered fluid is drained into the lymphatic vessel and be converted into lymph. This excess fluid contains essential proteins, which becomes trapped in the tissues of the body, becoming life threatening if the lymphatic system would not function properly. The lymphatic system functions by collecting this fluid and returning it to the circulatory system.

The lymph vessels in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, absorb lipids and lipid soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E, and K. A failure of this part of the lymphatic system can result in serious malnutrition. This system plays an important role in the immune functions of the body. It is the first line of defense against microbes and diseases. This network of vessels and nodes filters and transports lymph fluid containing antibodies and lymphocytes. The body's initial contact with these invaders signals the lymphatic's, calling this system to arrange the way to respond and fight cells to prevent diseases from foreign microorganisms.

2.) What's a lymph node and what is it good for?

Lymph nodes are considered to be bean in shape and range in size from a one to twenty five millimeters in their normal state. There are about six hundred lymph nodes spread throughout the body and function as a filter for viruses, bacteria, and or other foreign microorganisms. The lymphatic fluid is filtered from waste products and are eliminated from the body. The lymph nodes is also a housing unit, where the white blood cells (leukocytes) lymphocytes, spend much of their time.

When the immune system is activated, they begin producing large numbers of lymphocytes which causes them to enlarge. The lymph nodes are also surrounded by a dense fibrous capsule, with an inside compartment division called the trabeculae. The lymph node is divided into the outer cortex, the inner cortex, with the medulla. The outer cortex gathers oval shape B cells, also known as lymphatic nodules, to respond as the primary lymphatic nodule to identify antigen. The inner cortex does not contain lymphatic nodules, but contain mostly dendrite and T cells that enter the lymph nodes from other tissue to perform antigenic activity. The medulla of lymph nodes contain macrophages, plasma cells, and afferent and efferent lymphocytes to phagocyte foreign substances. In addition, lymph nodes can become enlarged