The Human Lymphatic System
Structure and Function of the Lymphatic System
, Spleen:
The spleen is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen, situated between the
stomach and the diaphragm. It is part of the lymphatic system and plays a key role in the body’s
immune system. Grossly, the spleen is a soft, spongy organ, dark reddish-brown in color, and is
roughly the size of a fist. It is composed of two types of tissue, red pulp, and white pulp. The red
pulp is responsible for the storage and filtration of blood, while the white pulp is involved in the
production of lymphocytes and antibodies. The function of the spleen is that it serves as a filter
for the blood, removing and destroying old, damaged, or worn-out red blood cells, and helping
to fight infection by producing white blood cells and antibodies.
Thymus gland:
The thymus gland is a lymphatic organ located in the anterior mediastinum, just behind the
sternum. It is part of the immune system and is composed of two lobes connected by a thin
band of tissue. The gross anatomy of the thymus consists of two lobes, each of which is
composed of a cortex and medulla. The cortex is composed of lymphocytes, while the medulla
is composed of thymic epithelial cells. The function of the thymus is that it's responsible for the
development of T-lymphocytes, which are essential for the body’s immune response. The
thymus also produces hormones that are responsible for the maturation of T-cells.
Tonsils:
Tonsils are small organs located in the back of the throat, one on either side. They are
composed of lymphoid tissue, which is part of the body’s immune system. The function of the
tonsils is to act as a filter, trapping bacteria and other foreign particles that may enter the body
through the mouth. They also produce antibodies to fight infection. The tonsils are two small,
round-shaped organs located at the back of the throat. They are typically pink in color and
measure approximately 1-2 cm in size.
Lymph Glands:
Lymph glands are typically small, bean-shaped organs found in the lymphatic system. They are
located throughout the body, including the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin. The
function of lymph glands is to filter lymph, a clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic
system, and to produce and store lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that fight infection.
Lymph glands also produce antibodies, which are proteins that help the body recognize and
fight off foreign substances.
Lymph vessels:
Lymph vessels are a component of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the
transportation of lymphatic fluid and other substances around the body. The gross anatomy of
lymph vessels includes a series of thin-walled vessels that originate from small lymphatic
capillaries and gradually increase in size as the vessels travel toward the thoracic duct and the
right lymphatic duct. Functionally, lymph vessels are responsible for carrying lymphatic fluid
away from the tissues and towards the lymph nodes, where the fluid is filtered and returned to
Structure and Function of the Lymphatic System
, Spleen:
The spleen is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen, situated between the
stomach and the diaphragm. It is part of the lymphatic system and plays a key role in the body’s
immune system. Grossly, the spleen is a soft, spongy organ, dark reddish-brown in color, and is
roughly the size of a fist. It is composed of two types of tissue, red pulp, and white pulp. The red
pulp is responsible for the storage and filtration of blood, while the white pulp is involved in the
production of lymphocytes and antibodies. The function of the spleen is that it serves as a filter
for the blood, removing and destroying old, damaged, or worn-out red blood cells, and helping
to fight infection by producing white blood cells and antibodies.
Thymus gland:
The thymus gland is a lymphatic organ located in the anterior mediastinum, just behind the
sternum. It is part of the immune system and is composed of two lobes connected by a thin
band of tissue. The gross anatomy of the thymus consists of two lobes, each of which is
composed of a cortex and medulla. The cortex is composed of lymphocytes, while the medulla
is composed of thymic epithelial cells. The function of the thymus is that it's responsible for the
development of T-lymphocytes, which are essential for the body’s immune response. The
thymus also produces hormones that are responsible for the maturation of T-cells.
Tonsils:
Tonsils are small organs located in the back of the throat, one on either side. They are
composed of lymphoid tissue, which is part of the body’s immune system. The function of the
tonsils is to act as a filter, trapping bacteria and other foreign particles that may enter the body
through the mouth. They also produce antibodies to fight infection. The tonsils are two small,
round-shaped organs located at the back of the throat. They are typically pink in color and
measure approximately 1-2 cm in size.
Lymph Glands:
Lymph glands are typically small, bean-shaped organs found in the lymphatic system. They are
located throughout the body, including the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin. The
function of lymph glands is to filter lymph, a clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic
system, and to produce and store lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that fight infection.
Lymph glands also produce antibodies, which are proteins that help the body recognize and
fight off foreign substances.
Lymph vessels:
Lymph vessels are a component of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the
transportation of lymphatic fluid and other substances around the body. The gross anatomy of
lymph vessels includes a series of thin-walled vessels that originate from small lymphatic
capillaries and gradually increase in size as the vessels travel toward the thoracic duct and the
right lymphatic duct. Functionally, lymph vessels are responsible for carrying lymphatic fluid
away from the tissues and towards the lymph nodes, where the fluid is filtered and returned to
