Editing Lymph (section)

{{Short description|Fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic system}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox lymph
| Name        = Lymph
| Latin       = lympha
| Image       = Illu lymph capillary.png
| Caption     = Diagram showing the formation of lymph from [[interstitial fluid]] (labeled here as "Tissue fluid"). Note how the tissue fluid is entering the blind ends of [[lymph capillaries]] (shown as deep green arrows).
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| source   = Formed from [[interstitial fluid]]
}}

'''Lymph''' ({{etymology|la|{{Wikt-lang|la|lympha}}|water}})<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|lymph |access-date=29 May 2010}}</ref> is the fluid that flows through the [[lymphatic system]], a system composed of [[lymph vessel]]s (channels) and intervening [[lymph node]]s whose function, like the [[venous system]], is to return fluid from the tissues to be recirculated. At the origin of the fluid-return process, [[interstitial fluid]]—the fluid between the cells in all [[body tissue]]s<ref>[http://www.anaesthesiamcq.com/FluidBook/fl2_1.php Fluid Physiology: 2.1 Fluid Compartments]</ref>—enters the [[lymph capillary|lymph capillaries]]. This lymphatic fluid is then transported via progressively larger lymphatic vessels through lymph nodes, where substances are removed by tissue [[lymphocyte]]s and circulating lymphocytes are added to the fluid, before emptying ultimately into the right or the left [[subclavian vein]], where it mixes with central [[venous blood]].

Because it is derived from interstitial fluid, with which blood and surrounding cells continually exchange substances, lymph undergoes continual change in composition. It is generally similar to [[blood plasma]], which is the fluid component of blood. Lymph returns [[protein]]s and excess interstitial fluid to the [[bloodstream]]. Lymph also transports fats from the [[digestive system]] (beginning in the [[lacteal]]s) to the blood via [[chylomicron]]s.

Bacteria may enter the lymph channels and be transported to [[lymph node]]s, where the bacteria are destroyed. [[Metastasis|Metastatic]] cancer cells can also be transported via lymph.