THE LYMPHATIC AND IMMUNE

SYSTEMS

Introduction
The lymphatic and immune systems work in
close cooperation to protect and maintain the
health of the body. Some functions and
structures of these systems are performed by
specialized structures or shared structures.
Additional roles are performed by other body
systems.

MEDICAL SPECIALTIES RELATED TO

THE LYMPHATIC AND IMMUNE
SYSTEMS
An allergist (AL-er-jist) specializes in diagnosing and
treating conditions of altered immunologic
reactivity, such as allergic reactions.
An immunologist (im-you-NOL-oh-jist) specializes
in diagnosing and treating disorders of the
immune system (immunmeans protected, and ologistmeans specialist).
An oncologist (ong-KOL-oh-jist) is a physician who
specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant
disorders such as tumors and cancer (onc means
tumor, and -ologist means specialist).

FUNCTIONS OF THE LYMPHATIC

SYSTEM
The lymphatic system performs three primary
functions in cooperation with other body
systems.
Absorption of Fats and Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Food is digested in the small intestine. From
here, the nutrients, fats, and fat-soluble
vitamins are absorbed for use throughout the
body.

Waste Removal from the

Tissues

Cooperating with the

Immune System

The lymphatic system

removes waste products and
excess fluids created by the
cells. It also destroys
pathogens and takes away
foreign substances that are
present in the tissues.

The lymph nodes play an

active role in cooperation
with the immune system to
protect the body against
invading microorganisms and
diseases. These functions are
described in the discussion of
the immune system.

STRUCTURES OF THE LYMPHATIC

SYSTEM

The major structures of the lymphatic

system are lymph, lymphatic vessels and
ducts, and lymph nodes.
Additional structures include the tonsils,
thymus, spleen, lacteals, Peyers patches,
the vermiform appendix, and lymphocytes

Lymphocytes, which are specialized white

blood cells, have roles in both the
lymphatic and immune systems and are
discussed under the heading of
Specialized Cells of the Antigen-Antibody
Reaction.

Lymphatic Circulation
Lymphatic circulation transports lymph from
tissues throughout the body and eventually
returns this fluid to the venous circulation.
Lymph is a clear, watery fluid that transports
waste products and proteins out of the spaces
between the cells of the body tissues. It also
destroys bacteria or other pathogens that are
present in the tissues.

Because the lymphatic vessels

are closely aligned with those
of the cardiovascular system,

the lymphatic system is

sometimes referred to as the
secondary circulatory system.

Despite the similarities, there

are major differences between
these two circulatory systems.

Blood circulates throughout the entire body.

Lymph flows in only one direction, from its
point of origin until its return to the venous
circulation in the region of the neck.

Blood flows in an open system in which it

leaves, and re-enters, the blood vessels
through the capillaries. Lymphatic circulation
is a closed system.

Blood is pumped throughout the body by the

heart. The lymphatic system does not have a
pump-like organ.

The color of blood makes the arteries

and veins readily
visible. Lymph is a clear fluid, and the
lymphatic vessels
are not readily visible.

Blood is filtered by the kidneys, and

waste products are
excreted by the urinary system. Lymph
is filtered by
lymph nodes located along the
lymphatic vessels
throughout the body.