Four Main Functions of the Lymphatic System Are Important to Homeostasis

The lymphatic system basically consists of lymphatic vessels, which return lymph into cardiovascular veins, and lymphatic organs, which can be subdivided into primary and secondary lymphatic organs (Mader et al. 138). Primary lymphatic organs are the red bone marrow and the thymus gland. The production of red blood cells as well as the maturation process of B lymphocytes occurs in the red bone marrow. T lymphocytes mature in the thymus gland. The spleen, which removes pathogens and debris from blood, is a secondary lymphatic organ. Lymph nodes, in comparison, cleanse lymph of pathogens and debris. Other secondary lymphatic organs are the tonsils, Payer's patches, or the appendix (Mader et al. 139).

A similarity of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems is that both lymphatic vessels and cardiovascular veins have valves, which prevent that blood flows back. Larger lymphatic vessels and cardiovascular veins are constructed mutually; muscle compression supports blood flow and prevents backward flow into lymphatic vessels, and contraction of the skeletal muscle supports movement within the lymphatic capillaries (Mader et al. 138). In the cardiovascular system, in comparison, blood flow in veins is in addition to contraction of the skeletal muscle and the presence of valves, also supported by respiratory movements.

The function of the lymphatic system is to maintain fluid balance, to defend the body against disease by producing luphocytes and to absorb fats from the intestine and transport them to the blood. Structures involved in this system include the right lymphatic duct, axillary lymph nodes, thoracic duct, inguinal lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsil and red boned marrow. One difference between the cardiovascular system and the lymph system is that the lymph system is the main control system for fighting and re building immunity. One similarity between those two systems is that both