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What is the importance of lymph?
The lymph system plays a major role in the body's defense mechanism. It consists of transportation ducts, as well as a large variety of different cell structures (lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils). Its main function is concerned with metabolic processes, and the lymph system interacts with every organ in the human body. It is vital in the distribution of fluid and nutrients throughout the body. It also ensures drainage of excess fluids and proteins and acts as a "garbage collector" for cell debris, fats, foreign bodies, bacteria, and other metabolic waste. These toxic substances are carried away in a one-way system of transportation ducts.

The fluid which flows in this system is called lymph. It fills the intracellular spaces, and consists of fluid, electrolytes and proteins.

Lymph capillaries are one-way, open-ended vessels which permeate the entire body. Their task is to collect excess fluid and transport it to larger vessels, which ultimately flow into the venous system.The pathway of lymph vessels is interrupted by more than 100 pea or bean-sized organs, the lymph nodes. They are the filtering stations, and collect micro-organisms and toxic substances from the lymph and destroy them. When you get an ear or throat infection, you may have swollen and painful lymph nodes. The swelling indicates that the lymph nodes are under great stress.


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