Lymphatic System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology
Revision as of 19:08, 30 June 2010 by Suzannah.stacey (talk | contribs) (→Lymphatic System Overview)
|
Introduction
The lymphatic system can be divided into two anatomical and functional subsets: lymphatic vessels that carry lymph around the body, and the lymphoreticular system which describes the lymphoid tissues. The lymphatic system has three functions:
- Immune defence
- Removal of interstitial fluid from tissue
- Transport of fat
- Primary lymphoid tissues:
- Appendix
- Bone marrow
- Bursa of Fabricius
- Foetal liver
- Ileal Peyer's patch
- Thymus
- Secondary lymphoid tissues:
- Spleen
- Lymph nodes
- Regional lymphoid tissue
- Tonsils
Immune defence
This is a broad topic area.
Immune functions are covered broadly under the primary and secondary lymphoid tissues of the lymphoreticular system with further information under the immunology section.
Removal of interstitial fluid
Details can be found here.
Transport of lipids
Chylomicrons transport digested lipids, however these are too large to enter the blood stream directly and thus enter the lymphatic system before being released into the blood stream. Further details can be found here.