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InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.
The lymphatic system (or lymph system) is an important part of our body's immune system. Among other things, it helps us to fight infections.
A fluid called “lymph” travels around the body through a network of lymph vessels, much like blood travels around the body in blood vessels.
They have different functions, though: Blood carries nutrients and other substances into our tissues. Lymph vessels drain fluid from the tissues and carry it to the lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are small lumps of tissue that filter out and destroy bacteria and other harmful substances. The bigger lymph vessels then carry the cleaned lymph fluid back to the vein called the superior vena cava, where it enters the blood stream.
Sources
- Brandes R, Lang F, Schmidt R. Physiologie des Menschen: mit Pathophysiologie. Berlin: Springer; 2019.
- Pschyrembel Online. 2021.
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- In brief: The lymphatic system - InformedHealth.orgIn brief: The lymphatic system - InformedHealth.org
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