Lymph is a mobile connective tissue comprising lymph plasma (fluid) and lymph corpuscles (cells).


Functions of Lymph:

1. Lymph acts as a “middle man” which transports oxygen, food materials, hormones, etc., to the body cells and brings carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes, from the body cells to blood and then finally pours the same into the venous system.

2. Body cells are kept moist by the lymph.

3. Lymph nodes produce lymphocytes. Lymph takes lymphocytes and antibodies from the lymph nodes to the blood.

4. It destroys the invading microorganisms and foreign particles in the lymph nodes.

5. It absorbs and transports fat and fat soluble vitamins from the intestine. Lymphatic capillaries present in the intestinal villi are called lacteals which are associated with absorp­tion and transportation of fat and fat soluble vitamins.

6. It brings plasma protein macromolecules synthesized in the liver cells and hormones produced in the endocrine glands to the blood. These molecules cannot pass into the narrow blood capillaries but can diffuse into the lymphatic capillaries.

7. Lymph maintains the volume of the blood. As soon as the volume of the blood reduces in the blood vascular system, the lymph rushes from the lymphatic system to the blood vascular system.

Lymph is the fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic system. ... An important function of lymph is that it captures the bacteria and bring them to lymph nodes, where they are destroyed. It also helps in the absorption of fatty acids and transport of fat and chyle to the circulatory system.