Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system and complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels , lymph nodes , lymphoid organs, lymphatic tissue and lymph .
Lymph (from Latin lympha 'water') [1] is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, a system composed of lymph vessels (channels) and intervening lymph nodes whose function, like the venous system, is to return fluid from the tissues to be recirculated.
In hereditary (or primary) lymphedema, the lymphatic vessels are absent, underdeveloped or dysfunctional due to genetic causes. In acquired (or secondary) lymphedema, the lymphatic vessels are damaged by injury or infection. [8] [9] Lymphangiomatosis is a disease involving multiple cysts or lesions formed from lymphatic vessels.
In the lymphatic system a lymph node is a secondary lymphoid organ. [5] Lymph nodes contain lymphocytes , a type of white blood cell , and are primarily made up of B cells and T cells . [ 5 ] B cells are mainly found in the outer cortex where they are clustered together as follicular B cells in lymphoid follicles, and T cells and dendritic ...
These are drained by the right lymphatic duct. [1] Diagram showing parts of the body that drain into the right lymphatic duct. The lymph transport, in the thoracic duct, is mainly caused by the action of breathing, aided by the duct's smooth muscle and by internal valves which prevent the lymph from flowing back down again. There are also two ...
Lymphadenopathy [19] [20] or swelling of lymph nodes, is the primary presentation in lymphoma. It is generally painless. B symptoms (systemic symptoms) – can be associated with both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They consist of: Fever [19] [20] Night sweats [19] [20] Weight loss [19] [20] Other symptoms:
The thymus (pl.: thymuses or thymi) is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system.Within the thymus, thymus cell lymphocytes or T cells mature. T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system, where the body adapts to specific foreign invaders.
The lymphatic system normally functions to maintain fluid balance between tissues and the blood and serves as an integral part of the immune system. Blockage of these vessels due to inflammatory induced fibrosis, dead worms, or granulomatous reactions can interfere with normal fluid balance, thus leading to swelling in the extremities. [ 3 ]