1.6 - Lymphatic Drainage of the Thorax Flashcards

1
Q

How many lymph nodes are there in humans?

A

600-700

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the arrangement of the lymphatics across the body. State where the lymphatics join the venous circulation.

A

Right upper quadrant drains into the right subclavian vein.

Other three quadrants all drain via the thoracic duct into the left subclavian vein.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the size of a normal lymph node?

A

<2.5cm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a common cause of lymphadenopathy?

A

Infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is lymph usually like?

A

Colourless and odourless

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How is lymph from the small intestines different? What is it called?

A

It is opaque and milky due to absorption of fats (chylomicrons)

It is called chyle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What causes movement of lymph through the vessels?

A

Skeletal muscles.

Pulses in arteries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What prevents backflow in the vessels?

A

Valves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What three groups of lymph nodes does the thoracic wall drain to?

A

Parasternal (associated with internal thoracic arteries)

Intercostal

Diaphragmatic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which larger lymph vessels do these three groups of nodes drain to?

A

Parasternal - bronchomediastinal trunk

Upper intercostal - bronchomediastinal trunk

Lower intercostal - thoracic duct

Diaphragmatic - brachiocephalic nodes + aortic/lumbar part of the thoracic duct

Superficial - axillary and parasternal nodes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where does the thoracic duct start and at what vertebral level?

A

Cisterna chyli - L2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the path of ascension of the thoracic duct?

A

The thoracic duct ascends just to the right of midline, in between the aorta and the azygos vein. It crosses over to the left side at T5 and it then empties into the left subclavian vein.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Where do the lymphatics in the lungs drain to?

A

Tracheobronchial nodes - this is the largest collection of lymph nodes in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What do the tracheobronchial lymph vessels join with and what does this form?

A

Tracheobronchial lymph vessels join the parasternal and brachiocephalic lymph vessels to form the BRONCHOMEDIASTINAL trunk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the lymphatic drainage of the heart.

A

Lymphatic drainage of the heart follows the coronary arteries and drains into the:

Tracheobronchial nodes

Brachiocephalic nodes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What do the nodes on the aorta receive lymph from?

A

Oesophagus, diaphragm, pericardium and liver

17
Q

Where do these nodes drain to?

A

Thoracic duct and Posterior mediastinal nodes