Question

Which of the following is not a major organ of the lymphatic system?
(a)Lymph nodes
(b)Thymus
(c)Kidney
(d)Spleen

Answer 1

Hint: The system in vertebrates is a part of a circulatory system and the immune system is the lymphatic system. It constitutes a large network of lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph towards the heart.

Complete answer:
The kidney is not a major organ of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is not a closed system and helps in the functioning of immune defense. The kidney is an organ that is bean-shaped and constitutes the renal system. It helps in passing the urine waste from the body and in the filtering of the blood before sending it back to the heart. It maintains the overall fluid balance and regulates the minerals from the blood. The waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances get filtered by the kidney. It helps in creating hormones that produce red blood cells and regulate blood pressure and promotes bone health. It is about 12 cm in length in adult humans and receives blood from the paired renal arteries. The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney which is produced around 1 million in an adult human.

Additional Information:
Lymph nodes: It is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system which is linked throughout the body by lymphatic vessels and includes B and T cells lymphocytes. It helps in the proper functioning of the immune system and filters foreign particles which include cancer cells. It is a fibrous capsule that is made up of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. It decides the treatment to be used in Cancer staging and determines the prognosis.

Thymus: The thymus is a lymphoid organ presented in our immune system. It is located in the front upper part of the chest behind the sternum in the superior mediastinum and front of the heart. It has two lobes each of them, consisting of the central medulla and outer cortex which is surrounded by a capsule. It facilitates maturation and provides cell-mediated immunity. It ensures that the cells react against antigens.

Spleen: It is an organ which is found in all vertebrates and acts as a blood filter. They remove the old red blood cells and reserve blood which is valuable in case of hemorrhagic or shock. It synthesizes antibodies and removes antibody-coated bacteria. It produces all types of blood cells during fetal life and helps in the production of opsonins and tuftsin.

So, the correct answer is 'Kidney'.

Note: A human being can die within 24 to 48 hours if the lymphatic system will not work properly. The lymph nodes are a size of a pea and are present in around 400 to 800 throughout the body. The vascular system is smaller than the lymphatic system and the lymphatic system produces twice the amount of fluid on a daily basis.