lymphatic system
Body's drainage channels
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that drains fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream.
It plays a central role in immune function—lymph nodes filter pathogens and house white blood cells that fight infection.
The doctor checked for swollen lymph nodes in her neck.
The spleen and thymus are part of this system.
Swelling from obstructed drainage
- lymphadenitisSwollen, infected nodes
- elephantiasisParasitic limb-swelling disease
- swollen glandsInflamed immune tissue masses
Lymphoid organ maturing T-cells
- spleenBlood-filtering abdominal organ
- tonsilsThroat's lymphoid tissue
- adenoidsNasal lymphoid tissue
- bone marrowBlood cell birthplace
Thymus-derived immune lymphocytes
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- white blood cellsPathogen-fighting components of plasma
- macrophagesLarge pathogen-engulfing immune cells
- phagocytesCells that engulf debris
antigens · immune response · innate immunity · immunoglobulins · germinal centers · plasma cells · memory cells · cytokines
Fatty lymph from intestines
- edemaPathological tissue puffiness
- muscle contractionFibers tensing and shortening
- oncotic pressureProtein-driven fluid retention
First lymph receiving drainage
lymphedema
Swelling from obstructed drainage
- lymphadenitisSwollen, infected nodes
- elephantiasisParasitic limb-swelling disease
- swollen glandsInflamed immune tissue masses
thymus
Lymphoid organ maturing T-cells
bone marrow · appendix · hilum · medulla · cortex
T cells
Thymus-derived immune lymphocytes
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- white blood cellsPathogen-fighting components of plasma
- macrophagesLarge pathogen-engulfing immune cells
phagocytes · antigens · immune response · innate immunity · immunoglobulins · germinal centers · plasma cells · memory cells · cytokines · interferons
chyle
Fatty lymph from intestines
- edemaPathological tissue puffiness
- muscle contractionFibers tensing and shortening
- oncotic pressureProtein-driven fluid retention
sentinel node
First lymph receiving drainage
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- body systems
- systemsecosystems, ecosystem, transportation network, neural network, neural networks
- circulation systemsblood vessels, arteries, veins, capillaries, heart
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune response, immune cells, antibodies
- physiologymetabolism, circulation, respiration, homeostasis, digestion
lymphatic systemcardiovascular system
Heart and blood vessels
circulatory system · heart · pulmonary circulation · blood circulation
lymphatic systemskeletal system
Body's bone structure
muscular system · digestive system · respiratory system · nervous system · endocrine system
system, systems, systematic, systemic, systematize, systemize, systematically, systematization, lymphoma