What is the relationship between lymph and blood?
1 Answer
Blood and the lymphatic system are joined together by a system of capillaries. They are both types of circulatory systems, and although they work separately to perform different functions, both are vital to the function of the body and the immune system.
Explanation:
The cardiovascular system is the controlling system for the blood. It is responsible for carrying nutrients, oxygen, and chemicals through the body to the organs and tissue. As blood circulates, it goes to the kidneys to be filtered. The kidneys remove waste from the blood, but the lymphatic system also has a role in doing so.
Throughout the day, blood vessels and muscles produce waste that enters the vessels in the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes pull out the waste, and then the filtered fluids travel to the lymphatic ducts and are redistributed into the blood. The remaining fluid, called lymph, contains lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell that is important to the immune system.
A relation between the blood and the lymphatic system is found through the capillary system, as capillaries and other vessels are present in both systems. The location of blood vessels also signifies the location of lymphatic vessels. Unlike blood vessels, however, lymphatic vessels do not require a pumping action for circulation of fluids. They are capable of distributing fluid without any type of force.
