Blood and Lymphatic System

Once the fluid is inside the lymphatic system, it is called lymph. Lymph consists of water and dissolved materials such as glucose. It also contains some white blood cells that have left the capillaries.

The lymphatic system has no pump, so lymph moves slowly. Lymphatic vessels, which are part of the cardiovascular system, connect to large veins in the chest. Lymph empties into these veins, and the fluid once again becomes part of the blood plasma.

lymph - The fluid inside the lymphatic system that consists of water and dissolved materials such as glucose.

As lymph flows through the lymphatic system, it passes through small knobs of tissue called lymph nodes. The lymph nodes filter lymph, trapping bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms in the fluid. When the body is fighting an infection, the lymph nodes enlarge. If you've ever had "swollen glands" when you've been sick, you've actually had swollen lymph nodes.

lymph nodes - small knobs of tissue that filter lymph and trap bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms

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The Lymphatic System

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