Explain how the digestive system and the lymphatic system wo

Explain how the digestive system and the lymphatic system work together to maintain homeostasis. Keep in mind that I am not asking to explain how each system works by itself.

Solution

The primary function of digestive system is to digest the foods that we take, and the important function of lymphatic system is the protection of body against infection by lymph nodes, which filter and destroy bacteria. So, after digestion, and absorption, the nutrients enter into either the “lymphatic vessels or the portal veins,” where the toxicants are removed or microbes are killed. This is very important to maintain the body\'s homeostasis because the toxicants may disturb the function of organs in several ways.

For example, the fatty acids absorbed in the small intestine enter into the thoracic duct, which is a major lymphatic duct. From the thoracic duct, it enters into the subclavian vein, from there fat directly enter into the systemic circulation. The lymphatic system collects lymph, removes pathogens from it, and returns it to the circulatory system. The excess fluid is drained from the tissues back to the circulation.