Functions of lymph include:

• Transporting oxygen and nutrients from the blood to various parts of the body 
• Removing carbon dioxide and metabolic waste from cells 
• Protecting the body against infection using its vast lymphocyte content
• Maintaining the composition of tissue fluid 
• Maintaining the volume of blood
• Transporting lymphocytes and antibodies to the blood
• Preventing microbes and foreign substances from invading the lymph nodes
• Keeping the body cells moist
• Absorbing fats from the small intestine through lymphatic vessels