BSC 215 Lecture Notes - Lecture 45: Subclavian Vein, Thymus
11 Jun 2018
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Lymphatic System Components
An important supplement to the cardiovascular system in helping to remove toxins from the
body, the lymphatic system is also a crucial support of the immune system. Unlike blood, lymph
only moves one way through your body, propelled by the action of nearby skeletal muscles. The
lymph is pushed into the bloodstream for elimination. Appreciating the importance of the
lymphatic system in filtering, recycling, and producing blood as well as filtering lymph,
collecting excess fluids, and absorbing fat-soluble materials is necessary to the understanding of
human physiology.
The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels, a fluid called lymph, lymph nodes,
the thymus, and the spleen. This system supplements and extends the cardiovascular
system in the following ways:
• The lymphatic system collects excess fluids and plasma proteins from
surrounding tissues (interstitial fluids) and returns them to the blood circulation.
Because lymphatic capillaries are more porous than blood capillaries, they are
able to collect fluids, plasma proteins, and blood cells that have escaped from the
blood. Within lymphatic vessels, this collected material forms a usually colorless
fluid called lymph, which is transported to the right and left subclavian veins of
the circulatory system.
• The lymphatic system absorbs lipids and fat‐soluble materials from the digestive
tract.
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