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lymphatic vessel

(lim-FA-tik ...)
A thin tube that collects lymph (clear watery fluid) from tissues in different parts of the body and returns it to the bloodstream. Lymphatic vessels branch, like blood vessels, throughout the body. They vary in size but are typically larger than blood capillaries and smaller than most veins. Also called lymph vessel.
Lymphatic system; drawing shows the lymph vessels and lymph organs, including the lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Also shown is the small intestine (one site of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue). There are also two pullouts: one showing a close up of the inside structure of a lymph node and the attached artery, vein, and lymph vessels with arrows showing how the lymph (clear, watery fluid) moves into and out of the lymph node, and another showing a close up of bone marrow with blood cells.Enlarge this image in new window
The lymph system is part of the body's immune system and is made up of tissues and organs that help protect the body from infection and disease. These include the tonsils, adenoids (not shown), thymus, spleen, bone marrow, lymph vessels, and lymph nodes. Lymph tissue is also found in many other parts of the body, including the small intestine.
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