Blood vs. Lymph — What's the Difference?

Vital for immune responses and wound healing.

Clear fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system, helping immunity.

Blood is a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.In vertebrates, it is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma. Plasma, which constitutes 55% of blood fluid, is mostly water (92% by volume), and contains proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide (plasma being the main medium for excretory product transportation), and blood cells themselves.

Absorbs dietary fats from the intestines.

The fluid consisting of plasma, blood cells, and platelets that is circulated by the heart through the vertebrate vascular system, carrying oxygen and nutrients to and waste materials away from all body tissues.

Contains lymphocytes and proteins, aiding waste removal.

A similar fluid in animals other than vertebrates.

Moves via muscle contractions and valves through lymph vessels.

The juice or sap of certain plants.

Lymph (from Latin, lympha meaning "water") is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, a system composed of lymph vessels (channels) and intervening lymph nodes whose function, like the venous system, is to return fluid from the tissues to the central circulation. Interstitial fluid – the fluid between the cells in all body tissues – enters the lymph capillaries.

A vital or animating force; lifeblood.

A clear, watery, sometimes faintly yellowish fluid derived from body tissues that contains white blood cells and circulates throughout the lymphatic system, returning to the venous bloodstream through the thoracic duct. Lymph acts to remove bacteria and certain proteins from the tissues, transport fat from the small intestine, and supply mature lymphocytes to the blood.

One of the four humors of ancient and medieval physiology, identified with the blood found in blood vessels, and thought to cause cheerfulness.

(Archaic) A spring or stream of pure, clear water.

Bloodshed; murder.

Pure water.

Temperament or disposition

The sap of plants.

Descent from a common ancestor; parental lineage.

(physiology) A colourless, watery, coagulable bodily fluid which bathes the tissues and is carried by the lymphatic system into the bloodstream; it resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and especially lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets.

Family relationship; kinship.

(immunology) The discharge from a sore, inflammation etc.

Descent from noble or royal lineage

A spring of water; hence, water, or a pure, transparent liquid like water.

Recorded descent from purebred stock.

An alkaline colorless fluid, contained in the lymphatic vessels, coagulable like blood, but free from red blood corpuscles. It is absorbed from the various tissues and organs of the body, and is finally discharged by the thoracic and right lymphatic ducts into the great veins near the heart.

National or racial ancestry.

A fibrinous material exuded from the blood vessels in inflammation. In the process of healing it is either absorbed, or is converted into connective tissue binding the inflamed surfaces together.

A dandy.

A fluid containing certain products resulting from the growth of specific microorganisms upon some culture medium, and supposed to be possessed of curative properties.

A member of a tribe of the Blackfoot confederacy inhabiting southern Alberta.

A thin coagulable fluid (similar to plasma but) containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; is conveyed to the blood stream by lymphatic vessels

To give (a hunting dog) its first taste of blood.

Involved in removing excess fluid from tissues.

To subject (troops) to experience under fire

To initiate by subjecting to an unpleasant or difficult experience.

A vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals that usually conveys nutrients and oxygen. In vertebrates, it is colored red by hemoglobin, is conveyed by arteries and veins, is pumped by the heart and is usually generated in bone marrow.

A family relationship due to birth, such as that between siblings; contrasted with relationships due to marriage or adoption (see blood relative, blood relation, by blood).

(historical) One of the four humours in the human body.

A blood test or blood sample.

The sap or juice which flows in or from plants.

(poetic) The juice of anything, especially if red.

Temper of mind; disposition; mood

(obsolete) A lively, showy man; a rake; a dandy.

A blood horse, one of good pedigree.

(figurative) Bloodshed.

Alternative case form of Blood.

A friend or acquaintance, especially one who is black and male.

(transitive) To cause something to be covered with blood; to bloody.

To let blood (from); to bleed.

(transitive) To initiate into warfare or a blood sport, traditionally by smearing with the blood of the first kill witnessed.

The fluid which circulates in the principal vascular system of animals, carrying nourishment to all parts of the body, and bringing away waste products to be excreted. See under Arterial.

Relationship by descent from a common ancestor; consanguinity; kinship.

Descent; lineage; especially, honorable birth; the highest royal lineage.

Descent from parents of recognized breed; excellence or purity of breed.

The fleshy nature of man.

The shedding of blood; the taking of life, murder; manslaughter; destruction.

A bloodthirsty or murderous disposition.

Temper of mind; disposition; state of the passions; - as if the blood were the seat of emotions.

A man of fire or spirit; a fiery spark; a gay, showy man; a rake.

The juice of anything, especially if red.

To bleed.

To stain, smear or wet, with blood.

To give (hounds or soldiers) a first taste or sight of blood, as in hunting or war.

To heat the blood of; to exasperate.

The fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped by the heart;

The descendants of one individual;

The shedding of blood resulting in murder;

Temperament or disposition;

A dissolute man in fashionable society

People viewed as members of a group;

Smear with blood, as in a hunting initiation rite, where the face of a person is smeared with the blood of the kill

Red fluid circulating in arteries and veins, transporting oxygen and nutrients.

Fluid composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Essential for maintaining body temperature and pH levels.

A crucial component of human physiology and medical research.

No, lymph primarily transports immune cells and waste products.

Yes, lymph absorbs fats from the digestive tract and returns them to the bloodstream.

Blood is red due to the presence of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which lymph lacks.

Yes, lymph ultimately returns to the bloodstream via the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.

Indirectly, by filtering lymph and preventing infections that could affect the bloodstream.

They both contain white blood cells and proteins, but blood also has red blood cells and platelets.

Blood flows continuously through the heart, while lymph relies on muscle contractions and valves.

Yes, leukemia and lymphoma can affect both the blood and lymphatic systems.

Not directly, as lymph flow is primarily driven by muscle contractions and vessel valves.

Blood clots via platelets and clotting factors, while lymph does not clot in the same manner.

Yes, pathogens in the lymphatic system can sometimes enter the bloodstream.

No, lymph flows much more slowly due to its reliance on external pressure.

Some lymphatic conditions may cause changes in blood composition detectable through testing.

Yes, lymphatic capillaries collect fluid from blood capillaries in the tissues.

Blood transfusions replenish blood components but have little direct effect on lymph.