lymphatic system - non-specific defence

Question 1

what does the lymphatic system consist of?

Answer 1

• network of lymph capillaries joined to larger lymph vessels
• lymph nodes found along the length of some lymph vessels
• lymph fluid
  = spleen tonsils and thymus

Question 2

what are the functions of the lymphatic system?

Answer 2

• collect excess intercellular fluid that escapes from blood capillaries and return it to the circulatory system

Question 3

what are lymph nodes?

Answer 3

• occur at intervals along the lymphatic vessels
• each contains masses of lymphoid tissue
• lymph entering contains cell debris, foreign particles, and micro-organisms = which could cause disease
• bacteria trapped in the meshwork of fibers as the lymph flows through the spaces = macrophages destroy
• infection = lymphocytes increase = lymph nodes swollen and sore