limfkerfi

The limfkerfi, or lymphatic system, is a vital network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. It plays a crucial role in the immune system by transporting lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The lymphatic system includes the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, tonsils, and adenoids, as well as lymphatic vessels.

Lymph is a clear to yellowish fluid that circulates in the lymphatic vessels. It is formed from interstitial fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds cells. As blood circulates, some plasma leaks out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues. This fluid, now called interstitial fluid, bathes the cells and provides them with nutrients and oxygen. The interstitial fluid then re-enters the bloodstream or is collected by the lymphatic vessels, becoming lymph.

The primary functions of the lymphatic system are fluid balance, fat absorption, and immune defense. It collects excess fluid and proteins from the interstitial spaces and returns them to the bloodstream, preventing edema or swelling. It also absorbs fats from the digestive system and transports them to the bloodstream. Most importantly, the lymphatic system houses and transports lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is essential for fighting infections and diseases. Lymph nodes, small bean-shaped structures located throughout the body, act as filters, trapping pathogens and abnormal cells.