sogæðakerfinu

The term sogæðakerfinu, commonly translated as the lymphatic system, refers to a complex network of vessels, tissues, and organs in the human body that plays a crucial role in immunity and fluid balance. It is distinct from the circulatory system, though the two are closely interconnected. The lymphatic system's primary functions include draining excess fluid from tissues, absorbing fats from the digestive system, and defending the body against pathogens.

This system consists of lymph, a clear fluid that circulates through lymphatic vessels. Lymph is derived from blood plasma that leaks out of capillaries into the surrounding tissues. As this fluid, now called interstitial fluid, bathes the cells, it picks up waste products and other substances. The lymphatic vessels collect this fluid, now termed lymph, and transport it back towards the bloodstream. Along these vessels are lymph nodes, small, bean-shaped structures that act as filters, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials. Immune cells, such as lymphocytes, are abundant in lymph nodes and are responsible for identifying and destroying these invaders.

Other important components of the lymphatic system include the spleen, which filters blood and stores white blood cells; the thymus, a gland crucial for the maturation of T lymphocytes; and the tonsils and adenoids, which trap pathogens entering the body through the mouth and nose. The Peyer's patches in the small intestine also play a role in immune surveillance. Collectively, these components work to maintain fluid homeostasis and protect the body from disease.