lymphs

Lympha is a term that has been used historically and in some older texts to refer to lymph, a fluid within the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that plays a crucial role in the body's immune defense and fluid balance. Lymph itself is a clear to whitish fluid that contains white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are key to fighting infection. It originates from interstitial fluid, the fluid that surrounds cells, and is collected by lymphatic capillaries.

This fluid then travels through a series of lymphatic vessels, passing through lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter the lymph, removing foreign particles, bacteria, and viruses. They are also where lymphocytes multiply and mature, ready to mount an immune response. The lymphatic system also includes organs like the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow, all of which are involved in immune function or the production of blood cells.

The collected lymph eventually returns to the bloodstream through large veins in the upper chest. This circulation is vital for maintaining the correct balance of fluids in the body, absorbing fats from the digestive system, and transporting immune cells throughout the body. While the term "lympha" might be encountered in older scientific literature, the modern and widely accepted term for this fluid is lymph.