The lymphatic system, a part of the immune system, provides protection from infection and disease.
Inside the lymph nodes, WBCs attack and phagocytose bacteria or pathogens, viruses, damaged cells, or even cancer cells.
Lymph vessels are a network of tubes that further connect to groups of lymph nodes throughout the body.
Lymph nodes are present throughout the body in the neck, armpits, groin, and abdomen.
The number of lymph nodes in the body differs from person to person. For example, there are about 15 to 30 small nodes in the armpit.
The waste materials and wiped-out microorganisms are returned to the bloodstream via the lymph fluid. These are then eliminated from the blood by the liver or kidneys. Through bowel movements or urine, the body eliminates them together with other waste.