A Lymphatic System Diagram:
The human lymphatic system

This lymphatic system diagram shows the general structure of the system.

The three parts of the lymphatic system are:

1. The lymph vessels
2. The lymph nodes
3. The lymph fluid

The functions of the system are:

• Maintains fluid balance within our tissues
• Transports fat (an important nutrient) absorbed from the intestine to the bloodstream
• Is a vital part of the immune system as it removes microorganisms and other disease-causing substances from body tissues.

In the diagram below, we can see that lymph vessels begin as small closed end tubes found in the spaces between cells within tissue.

After the tissue fluid enters the lymph capillaries (the smallest vessels) it is referred to as lymph. Lymph capillaries merge to form larger lymph ducts.

Lymph vessels (ducts) that transport lymph to a lymph node are called afferent lymph vessels, and vessels that carry it away from a lymph node is called the efferent lymph vessel.

What are lymph nodes? Lymph node location

Along lymph vessels we find lymph nodes. The word "node" in anatomy means "a knotlike mass of tissue." A lymph node is a small ball-shaped organ of the immune system, distributed widely throughout the body.

Lymph nodes filter the blood and contain specialized white blood cells which fight infection.

Lymph node location: Humans have approximately 500-600 lymph nodes distributed throughout the body, with clusters found in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen. Lymph nodes are linked by lymphatic vessels.

For related information, see the article on the circulatory system diagram.

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