What role does the lymphatic system play in the body?

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the body's immune response by producing and transporting lymph, a fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells. This system helps to maintain fluid balance in the body by collecting excess fluid from tissues and returning it to the bloodstream, which is essential for preventing edema (swelling). By filtering lymph through lymph nodes, the lymphatic system removes pathogens and foreign substances, thereby aiding in the body's ability to fight infections.

This answer aligns perfectly with the primary function of the lymphatic system, emphasizing its significance in fluid production and immune response, distinguishing it from oxygen transport, hormone secretion, and carbon dioxide removal, which are functions associated with different systems in the body.