The lymphatic system includes other body organs. These are the
- Spleen
- Thymus
- Tonsils
- Adenoids
The spleen is under your ribs on the left side of your body. The spleen has two main different types of tissue, red pulp and white pulp. The red pulp filters worn out and damaged red blood cells from the blood and recycles them. The white pulp contains many B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. These are white blood cells that are very important for fighting infection. As blood passes through the spleen, these blood cells pick up on any sign of infection and begin to fight it.
The thymus is a small gland under your breast bone. The thymus helps to produce white blood cells. It is usually most active in teenagers and shrinks in adulthood.
The tonsils are two glands in the back of your throat. The adenoids are at the back of your nose, where it meets the back of your throat. The tonsils and adenoids (also called the 'nasopharyngeal' tonsils) help to protect the entrance to the digestive system and the lungs from bacteria and viruses.
