How does the Lymphatic System Work?

The lymphatic system can be described as the drainage system of a human body. It is an important part of the immune system. It consists of lymph organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels. The lymphatic system functions as the active supporter of the blood and circulatory system, and the main function of lymphatic system is to defend the human body against microorganisms and other harmful foreign substances. It maintains fluid balance in the body and also absorbs fatty substances from the small intestine. Water, protein and other constituents of blood continuously exit the blood vessels and enter into the spaces between tissues. At that point, these constituents of blood are called as interstitial fluid or lymph. The lymph vessels collect the interstitial fluid (lymph) from the spaces between tissues and through the lymphatic system, the interstitial fluid passes through lymph nodes where it is filtered, and after that, the interstitial fluid returns to the blood again.