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The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The lymphatic system transports lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and tonsils are all part of the lymphatic system. It is a crucial component of the immune system, working to maintain fluid balance and defend the body against pathogens.

Lymph is a clear to yellowish fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic vessels. It originates from blood plasma that leaks out of capillaries into the surrounding tissues. This fluid, now called interstitial fluid, bathes the cells, delivering nutrients and removing waste products. Most of this fluid is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, but the excess enters the lymphatic capillaries, becoming lymph.

The lymphatic vessels form a one-way system that collects this lymph and returns it to the bloodstream. Along the lymphatic vessels are lymph nodes, small, bean-shaped organs that filter the lymph. These nodes are packed with lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response. When the body encounters an infection, these lymphocytes multiply, and the lymph nodes may swell, a sign that the immune system is actively fighting.

Other important organs in the lymphatic system include the spleen, which filters blood and stores lymphocytes, and the thymus, a gland where T-lymphocytes mature. The tonsils, located in the throat, are also lymphoid tissues that trap pathogens entering through the mouth and nose. The lymphatic system is thus vital for immunity, fluid homeostasis, and the absorption of fats from the digestive system.