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For more information on lymph, visit Britannica.com.

A clear, colorless fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. Lymph fills the tissue spaces of the body.

1. the pale-yellow, clear, or cloudy fluid that is contained within the vessels of the lymphatic system. It contains a little protein, and derives from the interstitial fluid, which is drained by the lymphatic vessels and ultimately discharged into the bloodstream, e.g. via the thoracic duct. The composition of lymph varies in different parts of the body, that from the liver and intestine containing more protein, and the latter more fat in the form of chylomicrons. Lymph also contains varying numbers of cells, mostly small lymphocytes, and coagulation factors.
2. the exudation from a sore.

A transparent, usually slightly yellow, often opalescent liquid found within the lymphatic vessels, and collected from tissues in most parts of the body and returned to the blood via the lymphatic system. It is about 95% water; the remainder consists of plasma proteins and other chemical substances contained in the blood plasma, but in a slightly smaller percentage than in plasma. Its cellular component consists chiefly of lymphocytes.

• l. duct — large vessels carrying lymph from smaller collecting vessels. Include thoracic duct, right lymphatic duct.
• l. heart — a muscular dilatation in a lymph vessel, capable of contraction and moving lymph along the vessel. Seen in embryos and lower vertebrates.
• l. node — any of the accumulations of lymphoid tissue organized as definite lymphoid organs along the course of lymphatic vessels, consisting of an outer cortical and an inner medullary part; they are the main source of lymphocytes of the peripheral blood and, as part of the reticuloendothelial system, serve as a defense mechanism by removing noxious agents, e.g. bacteria and toxins, and play a critical role in antibody formation. Sometimes called, incorrectly, lymph glands.
• l. node abscess — hard, usually cold swellings containing pus; secondary to primary lesion in node's drainage area; a feature of some chronic infections, e.g. tuberculosis, caseous lymphadenitis of sheep; specific nodes may cause specific syndromes, e.g. retropharyngeal nodes.
• l. node hyperplasia — increase in size due to increase in number of normal cells but with preservation of natal architecture.
• l. node hypoplasia — occurs in cattle and causes antenatal edema of the fetus, leading to dystocia in many cases. The calves are not viable.
• l. nodule — germinal centers in lymph nodes which produce lymphocytes. Called also lymphatic or lymphoid nodule.
• periarteriolar l. sheath (PALS) — the white pulp, heavily populated with T lymphocytes, that surrounds arteries in the spleen.
• l. tissue — see lymphoid tissue.

• Heart and Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems - lymph: colorless fluid that bathes body cells and contains lymphocytes
• Physiology - lymph: colorless fluid derived from blood and carried in special ducts of lymphatic vessels

Dansk (Danish)
n. - lymfe

Nederlands (Dutch)
lymfe, weefselvocht

Français (French)
n. - lymphe

Deutsch (German)
n. - Lymphe, Blutwasser

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (βιολ.) λέμφος, λύμφη

Italiano (Italian)
linfa

Português (Portuguese)
n. - linfa (f) (Anat.)

Русский (Russian)
лимфа, чистая вода

Español (Spanish)
n. - linfa

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - lymfa, vaccin, (poet.) klart vatten

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
淋巴腺, 淋巴

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 淋巴腺, 淋巴

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 림프, 림프액, 수액

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - リンパ

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) اللنف, سائل عديم اللون تقريبا تشتمل عليه الأوعيه اللنفاويه ويتألف من بلازما الدم وكريات, دم بيضاء‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮נוזל הדם ללא הכדוריות האדומות, לימפה, הפרשה מפצע‬

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