lymphatic system

American  

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the system by which lymph is returned from the cells to the blood and by which white blood cells are produced in response to inflammation or presence of antigens; in mammals, the system includes the lymph glands, vessels and sinuses through which lymph is carried, and lymphoid tissues, as bone marrow and the thymus.

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lymphatic system British  

noun

1. an extensive network of capillary vessels that transports the interstitial fluid of the body as lymph to the venous blood circulation

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lymphatic system Scientific  

/ lĭm-făt′ĭk /

1. A network of vessels, tissues, and organs in vertebrate animals that helps the body regulate fluid balance and fight infection. The vessels of the lymphatic system drain excess fluid, called lymph, from the tissues and return it to the circulating blood. Lymphocytes circulate throughout the lymphatic system.

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lymphatic system Cultural  

1. The network of small vessels and tissue spaces that move lymph throughout the body. The lymphatic system has several functions, including filtering out harmful bacteria; manufacturing white blood cells (white blood cells are produced by the lymph nodes); distributing nutrients to the cells of the body; helping to maintain the body's fluid balance by draining off excess fluids so that tissues do not swell; and assisting in the digestion of fats.

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Etymology

Origin of lymphatic system

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

By the time cancer cells are detected circulating in the blood or lymphatic system, the disease has often already begun to spread.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Inspired by qigong, a Chinese movement practice, she has been hopping up and down every morning, which she says helps drain her lymphatic system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

The dance-like moves are good for coordination, balance and calorie-torching, and rebounding is said to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps clear toxins from the body.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

Lipolysis usually refers to injections where chemicals break up fat cells and the fat is removed naturally by the lymphatic system and the liver.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2024

A century later, in the years after 1653, there was a bitter dispute between Thomas Bartholin and Olof Rudbeck over the discovery of the human lymphatic system.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton